it’s a small world
it’s a small world (idiom)
/ɪts ə smɔl wɝːld/
Meaning
- Used when surprised by an unexpected encounter or connection.
- Shows how people or places are more connected than expected.
- Said when coincidences happen in everyday life.
- Meeting someone not expected to be at a certain place.
- Literally, “it’s a small world” is a water-based boat ride located in the Fantasyland area at the various Walt Disney Parks and Resorts worldwide.
Synonyms: coincidence; serendipity; convergence; interconnection; serendipitous.
Variant
- it’s such a small world
- what a small world
- small world
Example Sentences
- I ran into my childhood friend in Paris—it’s a small world!
- She turned out to be my boss’s cousin—it’s a small world.
- We both dated the same guy in college—it’s a small world.
Origin and History
The phrase “it’s a small world” has become a common expression, used to convey surprise at coincidental connections between people or events. While widely recognized today, its origins are a fascinating blend of older sentiments, scientific inquiry, and cultural phenomena. No single definitive moment marks its birth, but rather a gradual evolution shaped by human experience and a growing understanding of global interconnectedness.
Ancient Notions of Interconnectedness
The underlying idea that people are more connected than they might seem is not new. Throughout history, various cultures and philosophies have explored themes of fate, destiny, and the unexpected ways individuals’ paths intertwine. While not using the exact phrase, these ancient ideas laid the groundwork for the sentiment that would eventually be captured by “it’s a small world.” The human tendency to marvel at chance encounters, especially those involving shared acquaintances in unexpected places, is likely as old as human society itself.
The “Small World Problem” and Social Science
A significant development in the understanding and popularization of the “small world” concept came from the field of social science, specifically with the “small world problem.” This problem, which was an entertaining parlor game among mathematicians, explores the question of how many acquaintances are needed to connect any two random people in the world.
Stanley Milgram’s Experiments
The social psychologist Stanley Milgram conducted famous experiments in the 1960s to empirically test this idea. His research involved sending packages to target individuals through chains of intermediaries. The results, though later subject to some scrutiny regarding their scientific rigor, suggested that on average, only about “six degrees of separation” were needed to connect two strangers. This concept, born from Milgram’s work, profoundly influenced the popular understanding of social networks and contributed to the widespread adoption of the “small world” idea. Milgram himself used the phrase in his 1967 article, recounting a story where someone exclaims, “Good lord, it’s a small world, isn’t it?” after discovering a mutual acquaintance.
The Influence of Mass Travel
As public international travel became more accessible and common in the 19th and 20th centuries, people experienced firsthand the surprising frequency of meeting individuals from their home regions or with shared connections in far-flung places. These personal experiences undoubtedly reinforced the notion that the world, despite its vastness, felt smaller due to increased mobility and communication. The idiom likely gained popularity as a natural expression of this growing realization.
The Disney Phenomenon
Perhaps the most globally recognized popularization of the phrase came with Walt Disney’s iconic attraction and song, “It’s a Small World (After All).” Created for the 1964 New York World’s Fair, the ride aimed to promote peace and unity among children of different nations. The Sherman Brothers penned the catchy and enduring theme song, which, with its simple yet profound message, further cemented the phrase in the public consciousness worldwide. The ride’s immense popularity and its subsequent installation in Disney parks across the globe ensured that the phrase became a household saying for generations.
The Earliest Printed Record
The sentiment behind “it’s a small world” appeared in print well before Milgram’s studies or the Disney song. One of the earliest known printed records that closely resembles the modern usage of the phrase comes from 1882, in Walter Bicknell’s “The Player’s Child.” In this work, the character Iphigenia uses words to the effect of referring to residents of nearby towns to illustrate how small the world is. Even earlier, in 1873, British author and army general George Chesney, in his novel A True Reformer, expressed a similar sentiment through a character named Mr. West.
The phrase’s prominent early printed records and its scientific exploration largely point to an English-speaking context, particularly the United States and the United Kingdom, as key territories in its development and popularization.
Modern Interpretations
In the digital age, the concept of a “small world” has only intensified. The internet and social media platforms allow for instant global communication and connection, making it easier than ever to discover unexpected links between individuals across continents. While the physical world remains the same size, our ability to interact and find common ground with others has indeed made it feel remarkably smaller. The phrase continues to be a simple yet powerful way to acknowledge this interconnected human experience.
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