First come, first served

[canadalynx]

Hi,

What other phrases do you know to convey the same meaning as "First come, first served" ?

Thank you.

 

[Yankee]

A little less formal but, "The early bird gets the worm". :-D

 

[Tarheel]

Hi,

What other phrases do you know to convey the same meaning as "First come, first served"?

[STRIKE]Thank you.[/STRIKE]

Two things. One, while Yankee gave you an interesting alternative, it doesn't mean the same thing as that expression. Two, please thank me after I help you.

 

[Yankee]

Two things. One, while Yankee gave you an interesting alternative, it doesn't mean the same thing as that expression. Two, please thank me after I help you.

So, the difference is....?

 

[Tarheel]

Well, they can mean the same thing. But if the early arrivals get the best parking spaces (for example) that doesn't necessarily involve service. (My opinion.)

 

[Tdol]

It's a standard phrase for specific circumstances- why would you need to have alternatives?

 

[Tarheel]

It's a standard phrase for specific circumstances - why would you need need to have alternatives?

One more point. "First come, first served" is about fairness. "The early bird gets the worm" is about diligence.

(The last word.)

 

[canadalynx]

Thank you for the responses.

One more point. "First come, first served" is about fairness. "The early bird gets the worm" is about diligence.

Interesting.

Have you heard this one, "First in, best dressed"?
It is seemingly used in Australia to convey the same meaning as 'First come, first served'.
I am not sure about the level of formality and does this phrase encompass both 'fairness' and 'diligence'?

 

[Tarheel]

No. I hadn't heard that one. (Don't use "about" there.) I don't know what it means (if anything).

 

[5jj]

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/firs...:text=Phrase,receive a more desirable outcome.

 

[canadalynx]

https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/firs...:text=Phrase,receive a more desirable outcome.

Yes.
That's why I was wondering if there were other phrases to convey the same meaning in different places.
If I'm on the right track, I can say that "First come, first served" is a universally recognized policy based on fairness and can be used in both formal and informal registers.

Thank you.

 

[Tarheel]

Two things. One, that one doesn't mean the same thing. Two, you won't need to know it unless you're going to Australia.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

- Take a number.

- Mind the queue.

- You snooze, you lose.