The phrase "to steal another's thunder" meaning "to get in first and do whatever the other wanted to make a big impression with" is said to derive from an incident involving the playwright and critic John Dennis (d1734). He found he could create the sound of thunder for plays by shaking tin sheets backstage and had used it in one of his own at the Drury Lane Theatre, London in 1700. However this sound effect was not enough to encourage audiences to the play and after a run of two weeks, it was replaced by a staging of Macbeth.
Dennis saw the production and noted that the thunder was being produced in his special way. He wrote a furious review: "That is my thunder, by God; the villains will play my thunder, but not my play." The production of Macbeth had purloined his idea and, ever since, anyone taking credit for your own achievement has "stolen your thunder."
Dictionary of Phrases & Fables by Nigel Rees, Red Herrings and White Elephants: The Origins Of The Phrases We Use Every Day by Albert Jack
Dennis saw the production and noted that the thunder was being produced in his special way. He wrote a furious review: "That is my thunder, by God; the villains will play my thunder, but not my play." The production of Macbeth had purloined his idea and, ever since, anyone taking credit for your own achievement has "stolen your thunder."
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| Daniel Webster stealing Henry Clay's thunder - cartoon |
Dictionary of Phrases & Fables by Nigel Rees, Red Herrings and White Elephants: The Origins Of The Phrases We Use Every Day by Albert Jack
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