The origin of this idiom . . . like many . . . is
debatable. However, the most widely
accepted explanation is based in aviation.
On airplanes, the throttle control handles . . . or joystick . . . and the fuel mixture
are often topped with grips that are ball
shaped. When a pilot pushes the ball
into the full thrust position . . . towards the firewall . . . it pushes the
aircraft to go as fast as possible.
On a side-note, if you've ever wondered why a joy stick is
called thusly . . . well, chances are that is indeedy a vulgar term . . . the
obvious implication that a (male) pilot was gripping the stick between his
legs; his joystick.
Another explanation involves steam engines. These engines have a mechanical regulator
that utilize of a pair of hinged lever arms with a ball on the end of each
arm. As the engine speeds up, centrifugal
force causes the arms to rise up closing a valve. The regulator can be adjusted so that the
arms go to horizontal (with the balls pointing to the wall) without closing the
valve. This adjustment does not limit
the speed of the engine so that it can go full force.
A similar explanation refers the automatic speed control for
a diesel-generator . . . like those used on submarines. Inside the hydraulic governor round
counterweights are attached to a vertical drive shaft. The weights (balls) are
on hinged arms. As the engine spins, the drive shaft spins and slings the balls
outward toward the walls of the governor housing. The faster the engine turns,
the closer the balls get to the wall, i.e., engine at high speed, balls to the
wall.
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