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- DictionaryHave skin in the game
- ▪ have a personal investment in an organization or undertaking, and therefore a vested interest in its success
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To have " skin in the game " is to have incurred risk ( monetary or otherwise) by being involved in achieving a goal. In the phrase, "skin" refers to an investment (literal or figurative), and "game" is the metaphor for actions on the field of play under discussion. [1] The aphorism is particularly common in business, finance, and gambling, and ...
Apr 14, 2017 · My take is the orgin of "skin in the game" comes from the practice of circumcision, as part of the Abrahamic covenant, such as in Genesis 17, practiced by Jews and Muslims. "Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he circumcised the flesh of his foreskin." (Genesis 17:24) To me this is the ultimate definition of "skin in the game!"
- The earliest usage I can track down is a quote in a 1986 Wall Street Journal article, by an IBM executive (just a few months earlier than the quote...
- Earliest use from the New York Times (usually late to the game): I.B.M. in Joint Venture On Supercomputers By LAWRENCE M. FISHER, Special to the N...
- There would seem to be a direct relationship to Skin Game first referenced in 1868: There are 2 kinds of gambling in the city, one known as the squ...
- Using Google Search on books printed in different ranges, I found nothing in the 19th century. The earliest reference to "skin in the game" was an...
The Origins of “Skin in the Game” While the exact origins of this idiom are unknown, it has been used for centuries across various industries and contexts. The concept of having “skin in the game” can be traced back to ancient times when soldiers would literally have their skin marked with tattoos indicating their allegiance.
From this origin, we can see that “skin in the game” referred to each person’s individual investment in something. There are plenty of other cases in recent history where “skin in the game” found usage. The meaning was always roughly the same. For example, in 1997, “Computerworld” published an article about turning contracts into ...
Sep 20, 2023 · The expression "have skin in the game" signifies someone has a personal stake or investment in a particular outcome or situation. It's not just about monetary involvement; the phrase can also indicate a commitment of time, effort, reputation, or emotion. The idiom emphasizes that when someone is personally invested, they're more likely to be ...
HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME definition: 1. to be directly involved in or affected by something, especially financially: 2. to be directly…. Learn more.
Jun 17, 2024 · The Origin and Etymology of “Skin in the Game” The phrase “skin in the game” comes from informal and formal beginnings. Some say Warren Buffett made it popular. He used his own money, showing what the phrase means. Others think it started at an IBM golf game in the ’80s. This shows its roots are in both work and play. The Literal and ...