I've heard the above phrase from time to time, and find it to be an interesting metaphor when applied adroitly. Last night I watched a program on television wherein conductor Zubin Mehta applied it to Beethoven's music. What's the origin of the expression, and what persons and events do you think apply?

So, Thomas Cahill has registered the term. Did it not greatly predate him?

His assertion that the Jews gave us monotheism seems wrong. The Egyptian pharoah Aknatan likely gets the credit for giving the concept to the Hebrews. As for his assertion that the Irish saved Western Civilisation during the Dark Ages, no more so did they than the Arabs, to whom he gives no credit.

Asa, I think the phrase predated him, but I can't find it on any etymology or word/phrase discussion site. Can anyone else? I do think it strange that he has registered the phrase!