Buzz words and phrases

Peter_Muir | 16:46 Fri 01st Oct 2004 | Phrases & Sayings

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What is the origin of the phrase 'Putting skin in the game' . It sounds good but what does it actually mean?

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Quizmonster

Warren Buffet, the American investment guru, coined the phrase. If you click here, that will link you to a web-page which explains.

My guess is that 'skin' here refers a) to money, as 'a skin' used to be American slang for 'a dollar'. b) It might also suggest one's own 'skin' in the sense that we mean it when we say 'he tried to save his own skin'. In other words, people in business should have both a financial stake in the success of that business and be prepared to invest their very lives in making it a success.

Peter_Muir

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Is it possible that the phrase is much older than Warren Buffet use and refers to gambling (the game) and the skin (the bet) being an animal pelt?

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