Someone else points out that his own father was in the Naval Academy Class of 1928. One of this person’s father’s classmates said, ‘We all remember that little verse we learned at the Academy: “When in danger or in doubt, run in circles, jump, and shout.”’ in a work published in 1973 for the Class’s 45th reunion. Heinlein was in the Class of '29; thus, it’s possible Heinlein heard it there.
There’s a recollection of a guy’s father’s classmate, which may or may not be correctly remembered. The earliest published citation (on that page) of the exact phrase is 1948, with a partial usage published in 1942. I’m prepared to accept that the phrase was known to USNA Class of 1928. I didn’t note a date for the allegedly earlier ‘port your helm’ variant.
Anyone know for sure when and where the phrase originated?
In one of Herman Wouks novels, I don’t remember which one, he has a naval person say, “When in wonder or in doubt, run in circles, scream and shout. Hoist the flag and fire a gun; Send the signal out, Well Done.” I suspect the bit of doggerel originated with the navy, but I don’t know for sure.
Google Books, which wasn’t all that when I did the work in 2006, has a hit from 1929, the Infantry Journal. I’ve done a search, and I believe it to be a reliable dating. So, War College, not sure if Army or Navy. Now back to the 1920’s at least.
