Posted by ESC on June 11, 2006

In Reply to: Onward and upward posted by Mandy Boswell on June 10, 2006

: Does anyone know who coined the phrase "onward and upward" and when it first came in to use?

ONWARD AND UPWARD - "We must continue to advance, to improve." The Dictionary of Cliches by James Rogers (Wings Books, Originally New York: Facts on File Publications, 1985) credits "The Present Crisis" by James Russell Lowell for this phrase.Bartleby.com:James Russell Lowell. 1819-1891128. The Present Crisis.New occasions teach new duties; Time makes ancient good uncouth;They must upward still, and onward, who would keep abreast of Truth;Lo, before us gleam her camp-fires! we ourselves must Pilgrims be,Launch our Mayflower, and steer boldly through the desperate winter sea,Nor attempt the Future's portal with the Past's blood-rusted key.

The whole poem is online at www.bartleby.com