push the envelope
idiom

- to behave in more extreme ways, or to try new things that have not been acceptable or tried before

- to go beyond the usual or normal limits by doing something new, dangerous, etc.

Cambridge Dictionary / Merriam-Webster

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ORIGIN

This expression was first used in the field of mathematics and eventually adopted by aircraft test pilots, whose job it is to take planes beyond safe limits to determine exactly what they are capable of. The envelope refers to the limits of factors such as speed, engine power, manoeuvrability and altitude. Only by pushing the envelope, can test pilots discover where the boundaries of safety lie.

The phrase was popularized in the mainstream by Tom Wolfe’s best-selling 1979 novel “The Right Stuff”, which told the story of a group of American test pilots. The figurative use of pushing the envelope, meaning “to stretch the boundaries”, dates from the late 1980s.

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IRON COWBOY PUSHES THE ENVELOPE

James “Iron Cowboy” Lawrence completed his 100th Ironman triathlon in 100 days on 9th June 2021. Lawrence crossed the finish line in Utah as he finished his self-created “Conquer 100” challenge.

His daily course—consisting of a 2.4-mile swim, 112.21-mile bike ride and 26.2-mile run—resides near his home in Lindon, Utah.

In total, Lawrence traveled more than 14,000 miles, that’s nearly 23,000 kilometers, or well over half the Earth’s circumference.

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SYNONYMS

be the point man, blaze the trail, exceed the limits, go beyond the fringe, pioneer, PUSH THE ENVELOPE, stretch the boundaries

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SMUGGLE OWAD into a conversation today, say something like:

“Keeping ahead of competition means to be continually PUSHING THE ENVELOPE.”

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THANKS to Christopher for suggesting today’s OWAD.

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HERZLICHEN DANK to all readers helping me keep OWAD alive with single or monthly donations at:

https://donorbox.org/please-become-a-friend-of-owad-3

and,

Paul Smith, IBAN: DE75 7316 0000 0002 5477 40