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Let George do it

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https://wordcraft.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/932607094/m/8741047892

February 12, 2006, 09:56
wordnerd
Let George do it
Elsewhere, Richard says, "at that time, George would be in firm control and the pilot wouldn't probably even be touching the controls."

It's not hard to figure out that "George" is the airplane's autopilot, but the usage is new to me. Where did it come from?
February 12, 2006, 11:08
zmježd
I thought George's name was Otto Pilot.


—Ceci n'est pas un seing.
February 12, 2006, 12:54
Richard English
It was certainly common currency with the RAF during WW2 - and maybe earlier.


Richard English
February 12, 2006, 13:08
<Asa Lovejoy>
quote:
Originally posted by zmjezhd:
I thought George's name was Otto Pilot.

With a BIIIG smile on his face once he's been "turned on!" Big Grin (If you haven't seen the totally nutball movie, "Airplane," you won't understand)