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It means learning from the work and accomplishments of earlier investigators, applying and building on their discoveries. Sir Isaac newton famously attributed his successes mainly to those who came before him.

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The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations (1982) cites John of Salisbury, in Metalogicon (1159), book 3, chap. 4, as saying (translated from the Latin):

'Bernard of Chartres used to say that we are like dwarfs on the shoulders of giants, so that we can see more than they, and things at a greater distance, not by virtue of any sharpness of sight on our part, or any physical distinction, but because we are carried high and raised up by their giant size'.

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Q: Where exactly does the saying 'Standing on the shoulders of giants' come from?
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What was Isaac Newton's famous saying?

"If I have seen further it is by standing on ye sholders of Giants." The modernised version has "... the shoulders ...".


What is the connection of the 2 pound coin and Isaac Newton?

Sir Isaac Newton is quoted as saying " I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants" Along the milled edge of the £2 two pound coin, the inscription reads, "STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS"


Why is head and shoulders called head and shoulders?

The company is saying the quality of their shampoo stands "head and shoulders" above their competition. It is a saying, when something is markedly better than the average, the way a very tall man is outstanding in a group of ordinary men, standing "head and shoulders" taller than they are.


What did Sir Isaac Newton mean when he wrote If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants?

First attributed to (but likely predating) Bernard of Chartres (d. 1124) in the form "We are like dwarfs standing upon the shoulders of giants, and so able to see more and see farther than the ancients." Commonly attributed to Isaac Newton in 1676 (500 years later) in a letter to Robert Hooke in the form "If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." This was probably a vieled insult directed at Hooke, who was short (a dwarf standing on the shoulders of giants).


Is head and shoulders shampoo for shoulders too?

No, because it's made for the hair. Welll it really only cures dandruff so it would serve no real reason on your shoulders. Some people use it for Acne "Head and shoulders" is a saying, when something is markedly better than the average, the way a very tall man is outstanding in a group of ordinary men, standing "head and shoulders" taller than they are. The company is saying the quality of their shampoo stands "head and shoulders" above their competition.


Where does the saying he has the weight of the worrld on his shoulders come from?

Atlas, the character in classical mythology who carried the world on his shoulders.


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It means you feel like you are overwhelmed with problems of all kinds, "carrying the weight of the world on one's shoulders".


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Moving your shoulders in an upward motion. Just like saying "I don't know".


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Still Standing - 2002 Still Saying I Love You 4-16 is rated/received certificates of: Argentina:Atp


How did Atlas try to trick Hercules?

He tried to trick Hercules into holding the world on his shoulders


When don Quixote sees thrity of forty windmills what does he do what is the outcome?

He thinks they are giants and tells sancho panda to slay them. Sancho replys by saying they are windmills not giants.


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Some of my friends are saying the Giants will win based on their stats and how they have great comebacks.