tell it to the marines: Idiom Meaning and Origin

The idiom "tell it to the Marines" originated in the 18th century and is still in use today. It means to express doubt or disbelief in someone's story or statement. The phrase suggests that the person being spoken to is gullible or naive, and that they would be the only ones who would believe the story. The idiom has its roots in the British Royal Marines, known for their toughness and skepticism.

One theory about the origin of the phrase is that it comes from an old maritime joke. Sailors would often tell tall tales or unlikely stories to each other, and when confronted with skepticism from their shipmates, they would respond with, "Tell it to the Marines!" This response implies that the Marines, being on land and not experienced in seafaring, would be the most likely to believe the story.

Another theory suggests that the phrase may have originated during the American Revolution. British Marines were stationed in the American colonies during this time and were known for their tough and skeptical nature. American soldiers who encountered the Marines may have used the phrase as a way to express doubt or disbelief in their statements.

The idiom has been used in various forms over the years. For example, it has been said as "Tell it to the Marines, the sailors will not believe it," "Tell it to the Marines, the Marines won't believe it either," and "Tell it to the Marines, they'll believe anything." The phrase has also been used in titles of books and songs, as well as featured in films and television shows.

The idiom "tell it to the Marines" is closely related to several other idioms. One such idiom is "tell tales," which means to reveal secrets or confidential information. It is often used to describe someone who gossips or spreads rumors. While "tell it to the Marines" implies doubt or disbelief in a story, "tell tales" suggests a different kind of storytelling – that of revealing secrets or spreading rumors.

Another related idiom is "tell the truth." This idiom simply means to be honest or forthright. It is often used to emphasize the importance of being truthful in a particular situation. While "tell it to the Marines" questions the credibility of a story, "tell the truth" focuses on the importance of honesty.

Similar to "tell the truth," "to tell the truth" is another related idiom. It is often used as a way to preface a statement or confession that may be surprising or unexpected. Saying "to tell the truth" before revealing something suggests that the information being shared may not have been expected or easily believed. This phrase adds an element of candor or sincerity to what is being said.

"tell you the truth" is yet another related idiom. Like "to tell the truth," it is often used to preface a statement or confession. However, "tell you the truth" implies that the speaker may have been withholding information or that the statement is contrary to what the listener may have previously believed. It suggests that the following statement may be surprising or contrary to expectations.

The idiom "live to tell the tale" is another related phrase. It means to survive a dangerous or difficult situation and be able to recount the experience. This idiom emphasizes the idea of enduring through adversity and being able to share the story afterwards. While "tell it to the Marines" questions the credibility of a story, "live to tell the tale" implies that the speaker has firsthand experience and has overcome obstacles.

The idiom "tell it to the Marines" has its origins in the tough and skeptical nature of the British Royal Marines. It has been used since at least the 18th century to express doubt or disbelief in someone's story or statement. The phrase suggests that the person being spoken to is gullible or naive, and that they would be the only ones who would believe the story. While the exact origin of the phrase is uncertain, its usage reflects the enduring nature of skepticism and disbelief.