English Explanatory Dictionary

let George do it

English dictionary entry

Meanings

proverb
  1. Let someone else incur the cost of achieving the shared benefit.

Word forms

let George do it

Etymology

Sometimes explained as derived from French laissez faire à Georges, a satirical reference to the multiform activities of Cardinal Georges d'Amboise (1460–1510), but this is unlikely. Alternatively explained as a reference to Pullman porters, who were generically known as George.

Related words

George public good free rider tragedy of the commons
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