<P> The linguist John R. Ross also associates James with the phrase: </P> <P> After a lecture on cosmology and the structure of the solar system, William James was accosted by a little old lady . </P> <P> "Your theory that the sun is the centre of the solar system, and the earth is a ball which rotates around it has a very convincing ring to it, Mr. James, but it's wrong . I've got a better theory," said the little old lady . </P> <P> "And what is that, madam?" Inquired James politely . </P>

Where does the saying jump the gun come from