everything but the kitchen sink

E

everything but the kitchen sink

Meaning

• almost everything that one can think of
• everything imaginable
• a very large number of things, whether needed or not
• much more than necessary number of things
• just about everything

Example Sentences

1. When he moved out of the house, he took along everything but the kitchen sink.
2. They were going away for only a few days, but they packed everything but the kitchen sink.
3. Have a look at this website. It talks of everything but the kitchen sink.
4. When we were going on a vacation, my wife wanted to take everything but the kitchen sink.
5. Our nearby store is a one-stop shop. You’ll find everything but the kitchen sink in there.
6. When he and his colleague went on a trip to a remote place for work, he insisted on taking everything but the kitchen sink along.

Origin

The phrase originated around the early 1900s and the first print reference can be found in 1918 in the newspaper The Syracuse Herald. The expression became popular during World War II, where it was said that everything but the kitchen sink was thrown at the enemy. This lead to the erroneous belief that the phrase originated during WWII. Another variant of the phrase, “everything but the kitchen stove” predates this phrase and can be found in 1894 in the Jeffersonville National Democraft. The current phrase probably evolved this earlier phrase.

The idiomatic expression “everything but the kitchen sink” is commonly used to describe an exhaustive inclusion of items, often to an excessive degree. Its origins can be traced back to the early 20th century, with several theories and documented uses shedding light on its development.

Early Variants: “Everything but the Kitchen Stove”

One of the earliest known variants of this phrase is “everything but the kitchen stove.” This expression appears in print as early as 1894 in the Jeffersonville National Democrat. The choice of “stove” likely reflects the central role of the kitchen stove in households of that era, symbolizing an essential, immovable fixture.

Transition to “Kitchen Sink”

By the early 20th century, the phrase began to shift from “kitchen stove” to “kitchen sink.” A notable reference appeared in the Syracuse Herald in 1918, where the term described people carrying a variety of items during a busy time, including everything but the kitchen sink. This transition may be attributed to the increasing prevalence of indoor plumbing and the kitchen sink becoming a more common household fixture, thus replacing the stove as the emblematic immovable object.

World War II Influence

The phrase gained significant popularity during World War II. It was frequently used to describe intense military bombardments, suggesting that all available resources were deployed. For example, an article in Life magazine in 1944 described naval attacks as throwing everything but the kitchen sink at the enemy, emphasizing the exhaustive use of weaponry and resources. This wartime context helped cement the phrase in the public lexicon, emphasizing the idea of utilizing all conceivable means.

Linguistic Appeal

The shift from “stove” to “sink” may also be influenced by linguistic factors. The assonance in “kitchen sink,” with the repetition of the “i” sound, provides a rhythmic quality that “kitchen stove” lacks. This phonetic appeal could have contributed to the phrase’s adoption and endurance in everyday language.

Cultural Equivalents

Interestingly, similar expressions exist in other languages. For example, the French equivalent is “tout sauf les murs,” meaning “everything but the walls.” This suggests a universal tendency to describe exhaustive inclusion by referencing all items except the most immovable parts of a household.

Variant

• everything except the sink

Important