Was the phrase "taking my talents" a common phrase before LeBron James used it?

Question

Before LeBron James announced that he was "taking his talents to South Beach", was this common phrase, or did he create it? I seem to read or hear that phrase used very commonly now but I can't recall ever seeing it before.

Ernest Friedman-Hill · Answer

I wouldn't even call that a specific coinage; I think it's just an instantiation of a general "taking my X to Y" phrase that's long established.

JoseK · Answer

I can find it in Agatha Christie's Secret Adversary (1922) as one example before LeBron. There are others on Google Books.

When I was a boy I heard a famous murder trial. I was deeply impressed by the power and eloquence of the counsel for the defence. For the first time I entertained the idea of taking my talents to that particular market

Was the phrase "taking my talents" a common phrase before LeBron James used it?

2 Answers

Add your own answers!

Ask a Question