What is the origin of this phrase and what exactly does it mean?
This is Spinal Tap is the first instance I know of…
It’s a joke, from the spoof documentary “We are Spinal Tap.” The documentary is about a marginally popular British rock band on tour. The lead guitarist is very proud that the control knobs on his amplifier go up to 11, whereas most only go up to 10. His interviewer pointed out that those numbers are just painted onto the case, and don’t actually relate to the power of the amplifier.
I’m not aware of “goes to 11” becoming a figure of speech, but I would imagine it’s used in much the same way as “giving 110 percent.”
“This is…”. Not “We are…”
Thanks for the info.
And yes it has become a figure of speech,i’ve seen it many times.
Working Designs(a video game company)even incorporates it into their logo “our games go to eleven!”.