Since the 1950’s, the term think tank has meant “a research institute.” But even earlier than that, going as far back as the 1880’s, think tank referred “a person’s mind.” Another slang term for one’s mind is thought box. This is part of a complete episode.
Transcript of “Think Tank”
Grant, what do you think of when you think of the term think tank?
Boy, it sounds like the end destination for an academic who’s just done with academia. I don’t know. That’s the resting place of bright minds who’ve just been depleted.
Well, I don’t know. People at think tanks might disagree with you. But I mean, basically, the definition of a think tank is…
Yeah, a bunch of smart people examining certain issues that are relevant to their focus.
Yeah, yeah, a research institute, for example. So you might have one that’s about education or one about political reform, that sort of thing.
Yeah, exactly. And this term has been with us since the 1950s, meaning that kind of institution.
But did you know that the term think tank actually goes back to at least the 1880s?
I did not know that. When think tank meant your brain or your mind.
Isn’t that good?
Yeah. Kind of like your brain case?
Yeah. Or another term used during that time was thought box.
Thought box.
Yeah. Like it’s this unknown piece of machinery atop your shoulders.
Yeah. Yeah. Your think tank. There’s where thoughts happen in there.
Yeah. The reservoir where all your thoughts happen.
But now it’s an organization or a board, but a think tank.
Yeah. 877-929-9673.
