(Okay, put your hand down before someone sees you.)
The world should have more ducks, really, and according to a well-known idiom, they should be in a row. That’s right, Get your ducks in a row.
I was (pun intended) somewhat bowled over when I did a Google search and discovered that getting your ducks in a row had a bowling reference. Before the days of automatic reset at bowling alleys, “duck pins” had to be reset by hand before the next bowl.
That’s one popular reference. News to me.
The other one that comes to mind—probably to most of our minds—when we hear this idiom is that ducks really do waddle in a (semi) straight line. Of course, these adorable straight lines are composed largely of ducklings led by their devoted mother. However she does it, she definitely knows how to get those young’uns in a row. They know they better keep their eyes on mama if they want to keep their feathers intact (please don’t ask what that might mean; it’s a family friendly paper and I think you can guess).
And there is also an image that comes to mind of a “Duck Shoot” at a carnival, where ducks may be fair game but not easy targets.
But the most common way this idiom is used is not nearly as cute as a row of darling ducklings. If your boss tells you to get your ducks in a row, you know you better pay attention. If your significant other tells you that, there may indeed be trouble in paradise. If a teacher says it, well, they may just be looking out for your future or nudging you towards your full potential.
And many of us have said this to ourselves or about ourselves. Time to get my ducks in a row! A fitting idiom for me at this point in my life as I implement healthier life choices. A little course correction, evaluation, adjustment, encouragement, preparation—however you want to think of it—can be a good thing for all of us. Sometimes we just need to be re-routed so we truly can arrive at our next “destination.”
The idiom is a meaningful one but not a threatening one; after all, how threatening is a row of ducklings. Such an endearing thought. Perhaps a motivating one …
So, get your ducks in a row!
To learn more about wetlands and ducks, check out ducks.ca
