Brass Ring. When riding an old fashioned Merry-Go-Round, carousel, the rider could reach out to a device that held metal rings. The rider would catch one at a time with his index finger. Every 100 or so rings, a brass ring would show up. If you caught the "Brass Ring" you received a free ride. Thus, "going for the Brass Ring."
Regular steel rings were thrown at a canvas target to be retrieved and reloaded again. The practice ended with the advent of personal injury lawsuits for riders who fell off reaching for the brass ring and/or loss of too many index fingers. Also I imagine too many rings were stolen.
Comments by raywestinms
Raywestinms commented on the word brass ring
Brass Ring. When riding an old fashioned Merry-Go-Round, carousel, the rider could reach out to a device that held metal rings. The rider would catch one at a time with his index finger. Every 100 or so rings, a brass ring would show up. If you caught the "Brass Ring" you received a free ride. Thus, "going for the Brass Ring."
Regular steel rings were thrown at a canvas target to be retrieved and reloaded again. The practice ended with the advent of personal injury lawsuits for riders who fell off reaching for the brass ring and/or loss of too many index fingers. Also I imagine too many rings were stolen.
May 16, 2009