| Definition | to take off in a rocket |
| OED requirements | antedating 1937 |
| Earliest cite | E.E. Smith, 'Galactic Patrol' |
| Comment | Jeff Prucher submitted a 1940 cite from Robert Arthur in Thrilling Wonder. Fred Galvin submitted cites from a 1983 reprint of E.E. 'Doc' Smith's "Galactic Patrol". This had been rewritten by Smith for book publication: Mike Christie found one cite missing in the original 1937 serialization, but was able to verify another in this version.
Earliest cite in the OED: 1951. |
| Last modified | 6 July, 2008 |
click here for more information about the citation list
| 1937 Astounding Stories Sept. 31/2 | How long do you figure it'll be before it's safe for us to blast off? |