Played a blinder

[Alliegid]

Hi all, when my kids have done something well, I say that they have "played a blinder" - they think I've just made it up, but I'm sure my day used to say it. Does anyone know where it comes from?

[valerieb1254]

http://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/blinder

[fredpuli47]

The Shorter Oxford Dictionary says 'Blinder' for 'an excellent performance in a game; something very good' dates from the mid C20. It also means something that blinds. We speak of a 'dazzling performance ' A blinder is a performance so dazzling that the brightness would blind you !,]

[Quizmonster]

To add just a little to Fred's reply, the earliest recorded use of the actual phrase 'played a blinder' appeared in David Storey's novel, This Sporting Life, published in 1960. In other words, it referred to rugby league.

[Alliegid]

Thank you all - the children have been informed :o)