Pan OutHow gold prospecting gave us a metaphor for success.

From the show

History of Phrases

Discover the literal origins of a common phrase for success. We trace its roots back to the simple, uncertain act of gold prospecting during the 19th-century gold rushes. The process of separating worthless dirt from valuable gold flakes in a pan became a powerful metaphor for how our plans and ventures either succeed or fail. Every plan is a gamble, just like prospecting.