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We have all heard the expression “it ain’t over until the fat lady sings”; meaning nothing is said and done until the final act is played out. Who came up with this saying and what does a fat lady have to do with anything?
While nobody knows exactly to which fat lady ,this saying is referring to, majority of people believe it stems from one of two people: baseball manager Yogi Berra or sport commentator Dan Cook.
Berra was notorious for his outrageous sayings like “the future isn’t what it used to be” and “the game isn’t over till it’s over”; so it is possible that he was the one to start the saying. The more likely candidate comes from Dan Cook who stated at a basketball commentary in 1978, “the opera ain’t over till the fat lady sings”.
Still, that doesn’t account for who the fat lady could be; although some people theorise that it is referring to singer Kate Smith who would sing “God Bless America” before hockey games. Other people believe the saying was common place in the early 20th century; with “it ain’t over till the fat lady sings the blues” and “church ain’t out till the fat lady sings” being stated.
It stands to reason this old saying that was popularized at a later point for future generations: those of us who despise opera and can’t wait for the literal fat lady to sing.
