Spot On: Derivation Please
Now, here’s a term I never use and seldom hear: spot on.
As for definition, it means "extremely accurate or descriptive." That much I can find in something called the Kernerman Multilingual English Dictionary, whatever that is.
However, the dictionary gives no origin for the phrase. Sounds British to me. Can anyone clarify?
I believe it is an old army term from the tifle range. When a soldier has finished shooting, a soldier by the target shows where the each shot hit by briefly placing a circular disc , the spot, attached to a long handle over each bullet hole. If a shot has hit the bulls eye , the shooter was said to be “spot on. ” i.e spot on the bull eye.