Get Your Ducks in a Row! (for All of You) by sandra46

Photography • Animals • posted on Oct 01, 2010

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Description

To get one's ducks in a row is an idiom good for this image I took in the park of a Venetian villa near Padova last year. It means to get one's affairs in order or organized to get one's things ready. Etymologically speaking, your guess as to the origins of this saying is about as good as any other. There are at least three plausible theories surrounding the origin of 'get your ducks in a row.' The most popular theory suggests that 'ducks in a row' came from the world of sports, specifically bowling. Early bowling pins were often shorter and thicker than modern pins, which lead to the nickname ducks. Before the advent of automatic resetting machines, these 'duck pins' would be manually put back into place between bowling rounds. Therefore, having one's ducks in a row would be a metaphor for having all of the bowling pins organized and properly placed before sending the next ball down the lane. Many bowling alleys still offer 'duck pin' lanes with smaller bowling balls and shorter pins. Whatever the origin, I always find it difficult to ensure that all of the small details or elements are accounted for and in their proper positions before embarking on a new project. It's hard to get my ducks in a row! Thank you for your kind comments.

Comments (48)

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alessimarco

10:24AM | Fri, 01 October 2010

Cool capture!!! :)

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durleybeachbum

10:35AM | Fri, 01 October 2010

SO interesting! I have always wanted a book that tells me these origins! There are hundreds of publications that tell you the meanings, but I don't need that! Thankyou for these fascinating postings!

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Umbetro38

10:36AM | Fri, 01 October 2010

So cute and thx for your Friendship here - it´s always a Honor for me to comment your always perfect captures

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tennesseecowgirl

10:59AM | Fri, 01 October 2010

Cute title, and thanks for the info I didn't know where that term came from.. Have a great weekend~~

alanwilliams

11:24AM | Fri, 01 October 2010

thats one ive never come accross before, excellent info and picture

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magnus073

11:27AM | Fri, 01 October 2010

This is a wonderful photo Sandra, and it was a perfect way to illustrate one of my favorite old expressions. Never knew some bowling alleys still offered the Duck Pin Lanes, and would love to try it

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renecyberdoc

11:43AM | Fri, 01 October 2010

i remember as a kid we had a couple in the village,and some of the bigger guys from school where arranging them in the evenings and made themselves some pocket money.but not the amerivan bowling it was the euopean "jeu de quilles" nine pins and the balls have no holes and you have to give drift to the ball and some other techniques. i was playing in a club in luxembourg and the first team of ours (i was in the second the b-team)the a team made champion of luxembourg in 1993-1994.

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flora-crassella

11:44AM | Fri, 01 October 2010

a very funny scene!!!! WONDERFUL picture!!!!!

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SIGMAWORLD

12:44PM | Fri, 01 October 2010

Ein wirklich originelles Foto! Prima!

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jayfar

1:08PM | Fri, 01 October 2010

Lovely image. Notice how the leader is 'head up' whilst the rest are not so upright!

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brycek

1:19PM | Fri, 01 October 2010

Beautiful capture and info!!

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mickeyrony

1:28PM | Fri, 01 October 2010

A special for us all my Beatiful . Thank you for your great heart. . Okay proposed. Congratulations again and thanks mile ((5 + +)) Un spécial pour nous tous ma Belle . Merci de ton grand coeur . . Très bien proposé .Bravo encore et mile mercis((5++))

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carlx

1:38PM | Fri, 01 October 2010

Excellent find and capture!!!

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Meisiekind

1:43PM | Fri, 01 October 2010

Hehehe... That is exactly what I need to do this weekend - getting my ducks in a row! Wonderful shot!

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virginiese

2:43PM | Fri, 01 October 2010

very funny and sweet capture ! Thanks for the etymological explanation of this idiom !

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jmb007

2:54PM | Fri, 01 October 2010

amusant!!aussi!!

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mariogiannecchini

4:11PM | Fri, 01 October 2010

Non sapevo addestrassi le anatre !Foto molto carina e grande spiegazione sul modo di dire , nelle possibili varianti!

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claude19

4:58PM | Fri, 01 October 2010

Warning! I only see one head! Spread the word! coin...coin..coin !

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jeroni

5:26PM | Fri, 01 October 2010

Excellent work and perfect realisation

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Faemike55

6:11PM | Fri, 01 October 2010

wonderful information and I have to admit that your image quacks me up!

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JaneEden

6:20PM | Fri, 01 October 2010

Very interesting info, it is so good to be back here today, looking at yet another amazing photo of yours, just wonderful and very well done indeed!! hugs Jane xx

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Madbat

6:28PM | Fri, 01 October 2010

This is the first time I've ever seen them lined up like that! I never knew ducks knew how to queue!

lucindawind

8:44PM | Fri, 01 October 2010

oh thats so cute with all of them following wonderful capture

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MOSKETON

8:59PM | Fri, 01 October 2010

FANTASTICA.

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MagikUnicorn

9:17PM | Fri, 01 October 2010

Superb...Good eye

MrsLubner

11:07PM | Fri, 01 October 2010

This reminds me of the midway at the state fair where you sit with your little water gun and try to knock over the line of ducks...one at a time as they slowly pass in front of you. :-) Fun shot.

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jocko500

11:14PM | Fri, 01 October 2010

very wonderful shot

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bazza

12:54AM | Sat, 02 October 2010

Darn I hate to queue lol don't like lines, ducks do like to walk in lines especially when its a mum and babies.. Beautiful shot and Interesting info on the origin of the saying.. Thanks for sharing this..

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