# In like Flynn **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [November 6, 2003, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-like-flynn/211707 "2003-11-06T15:45:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Craig234](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecae2f/32.png) [@Craig234](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Craig234)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2003, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-like-flynn/211707/1 "2003-11-06T15:45:04Z")
I saw the column on the [origin of ‘In like Flynn’,](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a5_156.html) but I’ve seen many uses of the similar ‘In like Flint’, enough to warrant a followup discussion about this alternative. I’d heard that it referred to the James Coburn movies starring as a James Bond-like character Flint, and it may be that ‘In like Flint’ was an intentional corruption of ‘In like Flynn’. Any other info on this? ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [November 6, 2003, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-like-flynn/211707/2 "2003-11-06T16:36:00Z")
Uh, no doo-doo, Dupin. Although such an “intentional corruption” is usually called a “pun.” Derek Flint, the hipster superspy played by Coburn, first appeared in “Our Man Flint”; “In Like Flint” was the second movie. Very funny 1970s spy spoofs, and a perfect sort-of trilogy with “The President’s Analyst.” ---
**Author:** ![John\_W.Kennedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_w.kennedy/32/1031_2.png) [@John\_W.Kennedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_W.Kennedy)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2003, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-like-flynn/211707/3 "2003-11-07T01:27:32Z")
Just to make it absolutely clear, I’m old enough that I can promise you that _In Like Flint_ was released long, long after the phrase “in like Flynn” appeared. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [November 7, 2003, 4:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-like-flynn/211707/4 "2003-11-07T04:18:10Z")
Welcome to the Straight Dope Message Boards, **Craig** , glad to have you with us. When you start a thread, it’s helpful to others if you provide a link to the column that you’re commenting on. It helps keep everyone on the same page, so to speak. Hence, I’ve edited your post to put the loink in there. No biggie, you’ll know for next time. So, welcome! ---
**Author:** ![Craig234](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecae2f/32.png) [@Craig234](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Craig234)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2003, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-like-flynn/211707/5 "2003-11-08T08:10:30Z")
Nametag, I’d always heard ‘In like Flint’ as the phrase, hence my post; now it’s clear it was a pun on In like Flynn. What is the word ‘Dupin’ you used? I’ll assume it’s a compliment. Administrator, thanks for the tip and the welcome, I’ll include the thread next time. ---
**Author:** ![Craig234](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecae2f/32.png) [@Craig234](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Craig234)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2003, 8:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-like-flynn/211707/6 "2003-11-08T08:11:33Z")
Whoops, the edit button doesn’t work, but wanted to say thanks to John Kennedy for replying, too. ---
**Author:** ![C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b2d939/32.png) [@C\_K\_Dexter\_Haven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/C_K_Dexter_Haven)\ **Post date:** [November 8, 2003, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/in-like-flynn/211707/7 "2003-11-08T15:39:30Z")
“Dupin” is the detective character that was created by Edgar Allan Poe. “No doo-doo, Dupin” is thus a wordplay on “No shit, Sherlock.” Not what you’d call a nice greeting to someone new, I’m afraid. **Nametag** , I’ll be sending you a book on “Good Manners 101.”