[Mick]

[quote author=cardcrimson link=topic=17736.msg207193#msg207193 date=1508550593]
As far as staying the course, I think Heath Ledger or Mel Gibson immortalized the comment in The Patriot.

"Stay the course," meaning pursue a goal despite obstacles, has been used at least since the late 1800s. Some early examples came from sports:

- The Times of London, 1879: "Jockeys who have ridden him think he cannot stay the course."

- New York Times, 1873, referring to Dartmouth's crew: "All question as to their staying the course was set at rest."

Politicians have used "stay the course" for years. Examples:

- Winston Churchill, 1950, "Will America stay the course?"

- Harry Truman, 1952: "Some are doubtful whether we will stay the course until we achieve peace in a free world."

- Lyndon Johnson, 1967: "It became clear that if we were prepared to stay the course in Vietnam, we could help to lay the cornerstone for a diverse and independent Asia, full of promise and resolute in the cause of peaceful economic development for her long-suffering peoples. But if we faltered, the forces of chaos would scent victory and decades of strife and aggression would stretch endlessly before us. The choice was clear. We would stay the course. And we shall stay the course."
[/quote]


Christopher Marlowe used it in Dr. Faustas in 1588.  Ben Johnson used in "Volpone, or The Fox" in 1605; e.g., "Avocatore 1: Can you plead ought [that is, aught] to stay the course of justice? If you can, speak."

From "Certain Observations touching the two great Offices of the Seneschalsey or High-Stewardship, and High Constableship of England" in 1641:

It is to be understood notwithstanding, that none may stop the course of any ordinary running streames within his banks or ditches longer then from the rising to the going down of the sunne. Neither may any one stay the course of waters with any new ponds, ditches, or sluces, but shall permit them to run their course, lest the mills standing upon their streams, or men in their affairs, tanners, diers, and such like, should thereby suffer losse and detriment. If any shall stay them for the filling up of pools, or ponds, they shall be bound to restore such losses as the milners, or others living by the passage of those waters, shall have sustained by the with-holding of them, and waters shall be suffered to run their accustomed course.

[Mick]

[quote author=cardcrimson link=topic=17736.msg207193#msg207193 date=1508550593]
As far as staying the course, I think Heath Ledger or Mel Gibson immortalized the comment in The Patriot.

"Stay the course," meaning pursue a goal despite obstacles, has been used at least since the late 1800s. Some early examples came from sports:

- The Times of London, 1879: "Jockeys who have ridden him think he cannot stay the course."

- New York Times, 1873, referring to Dartmouth's crew: "All question as to their staying the course was set at rest."

Politicians have used "stay the course" for years. Examples:

- Winston Churchill, 1950, "Will America stay the course?"

- Harry Truman, 1952: "Some are doubtful whether we will stay the course until we achieve peace in a free world."

- Lyndon Johnson, 1967: "It became clear that if we were prepared to stay the course in Vietnam, we could help to lay the cornerstone for a diverse and independent Asia, full of promise and resolute in the cause of peaceful economic development for her long-suffering peoples. But if we faltered, the forces of chaos would scent victory and decades of strife and aggression would stretch endlessly before us. The choice was clear. We would stay the course. And we shall stay the course."
[/quote]


Christopher Marlowe used it in Dr. Faustas in 1588.  Ben Johnson used in "Volpone, or The Fox" in 1605; e.g., "Avocatore 1: Can you plead ought [that is, aught] to stay the course of justice? If you can, speak."

From "Certain Observations touching the two great Offices of the Seneschalsey or High-Stewardship, and High Constableship of England" in 1641:

It is to be understood notwithstanding, that none may stop the course of any ordinary running streames within his banks or ditches longer then from the rising to the going down of the sunne. Neither may any one stay the course of waters with any new ponds, ditches, or sluces, but shall permit them to run their course, lest the mills standing upon their streams, or men in their affairs, tanners, diers, and such like, should thereby suffer losse and detriment. If any shall stay them for the filling up of pools, or ponds, they shall be bound to restore such losses as the milners, or others living by the passage of those waters, shall have sustained by the with-holding of them, and waters shall be suffered to run their accustomed course.