Gladiator's Phrase : Yes or No

[KIFIS]

The phrase used from time to time by Gladiator that goes “ Only those who have walked the walk are entitled to talk the talk “ applies to aviation and aviators as no other .

I find myself wondering if this phrase worded exactly as it is has ever been used in any other context and applied to another profession. Never having encountered it before I would like to know if Gladiator actually thought of it . If so it is his exclusively and he should be given credit for it. If not then at least he has added something to our aviation language.

KIFIS

[Dr. Red]

I understand the phrase originated in an older film (possibly Casablanca?):

"So you talk the talk... but do you walk the walk?" (Meaning, "do you do what you say?")

Stanley Kubrick reused it in "Full Metal Jacket" and it appears all over the place now, it's becoming a bit of a cliche, used in different forms (as you quoted, for example)

But is this relevant to anything??

Red

[Bash]

This well known american saying has fairly macho implications. It equates to 'put your money where your mouth is' in the context of taking risk in dangerous circumstnces. It is therefore extremely innappropriate as far as aviation is concerned. What is the point of the question?

[addinfurnightem]

"If you haven't walked the walk then you can't talk the talk" may not have been originated by Special Forces, (UK/USA), but it was adopted by them from time to time to deal with Special Forces "Groupies" - types who never have and never will make the grade but love to drop all the right 'buzz' words all over the place and pretend they were actually once there. Some even go so far as to buy bits of uniform and wear it etc.
All very sad. It has been around many, many years, popularised in a film version of a Tom Clancy book too.

[This message has been edited by addinfurnightem (edited 28 January 2001).]

[This message has been edited by addinfurnightem (edited 28 January 2001).]

[SKYYACHT]

I prefer the line from Top Gun, which goes something like this...

Boy, your Ego is writing cheques your Body cant Cash!

Hmmm....we all know people like that I think.

Tailwinds

[ExSimGuy]

Ad Inf,

Thought I'd read "all" the Tom Clancey books (life is pretty boring where I live these days!) - or was it just in the film version?

(I have several times lost 1 & 2 at V1 in a simulated 747 - does that count as walking? :) )

[This message has been edited by ExSimGuy (edited 28 January 2001).]

[KIFIS]

Thank you everyone for your interesting replies. It would seem it is not Gladiator's phrase after all. I've changed my mind about it because if the misfits use it then let's keep it out of aviation.

KIFIS