“Nothing to it, but to do it”
“Nothing to it, but to do it” means that a task can be done, but requires dedication. “Nothing to it but to do it” has been cited in print at least as early as 1907. “There’s nothing to it, but to do it” was cited in 1959. “Nothin’ to it but to do it” was cited in 1979.
“Ain’t nothing to it, but to do it” was popularized by American professional bodybuilder Ronnie Coleman in the 2000s.
2 January 1907, Denver (CO) Post, “The Old Legislative Machine Starts Out On Another Run” by Walter Juan Davis, pg. 4, col. 4:
The organization process was the smallest part of the morning’s pleasures, however. There was “nothing to it but to do it,” as one member succinctly put it.
8 May 1959, The Times-Picayune (New Orleans, LA), “Tourism Is U.S. Third Industry” by Walter Goodstein, pg. 1, col. 2:
NASSAU, Bahamas—Sell New Orleans as a tourist attraction? It’s a cinch. There’s nothing to it, but to do it.
18 July 1968, Tucson (AZ) Daily Citizen, “Art Of Letter-Writing Reappears On American Scene” by Betty Milburn, pg. 16, col. 4:
What should you say? How should you start? There’s nothing to it but to do it, as the saying goes.
5 November 1979, Dallas (TX) Morning News, pg. 1, col. 2 photo caption:
Nothin’ to it but to do it
Cowboy kicker Rafael Septien (left) and holder Danny White show their enthusiasm Sunday after Septian drilled a 22-yard field goal with 6 seconds remaining in the game to give Dallas a come-from-behind 16-14 win over the New York Giants.
15 January 1984, Sunday Courier & Press (Evansville, IN), education supplement, pg. 3, col. 1:
Today Claude A. Brown, a major in the enforcement division of the Alcoholic Beverage Commission, is about 15 hours away from a master’s degree in criminology.
“If I can do it, anyone can.” he declares. “There’s nothing to it but to do it.”
OCLC WorldCat record
Communications: There’s Nothing to It But To Do It.
Author: Augie E Beasley; Charlotte NC Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Schools; Carolyn G Palmer
Publisher: 1986-00-00
Edition/Format: Book Book : English
Database: ERIC The ERIC database is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Education.
Summary:
Intended for use by media specialists, this report presents techniques for effective communication and suggests ways of reaching out to various groups. Guidelines are provided for the production and distribution of semester reports on the school library media program, together with suggestions for the development of program goals and objectives, and ideas for the development of displays, centers, or bulletin boards. Suggestions for reaching out with media to faculty, students, administrators, and the community conclude the report. (EW)
Calorie Count—Forums
Fitness
ankow
Oct 01 2008 16:52
Here’s my personal collection:
(...)
“Nothing to it, but to do it.”—Ronnie Coleman
Urban Dictionary
Ain’t Nothing To It But To Do It
Statement of the raw simplicity of a task, implying that all
it takes is hard, not necessarily intelligent, work and effort.
Made famous by Body-Builder and Youtube sensation Ronnie Coleman
Coleman, whilst attempting to lift 800 pounds with his legs:
Ain’t nothing to it but to do it!
by TheBlackList January 13, 2010
Trove26
SUNDAY, APRIL 8, 2012
“Ain’t nothing to it, but to do it!” - Ronnie Coleman
One thing that I have done during my past preps is over think this whole process. Ronnie Coleman is known for saying it best “Ain’t nothing to it, but to do it.” Just put your head down and step up to the bar and lift the weight. As long as you have a plan, follow it to the T and do the work…things will fall into place.
Wordreference.com
Ain’t nothing to it but to do it.
archijacq
3rd June 2012, 3:11 PM
(bodybuilding): Statement of the raw simplicity of a task, implying that all it takes is hard, not necessarily intelligent, work and effort.
YouTube
CARLTON ROBINSON -Ain’t Nothing To It. But To Do It
Chrisfunkk1 ☆☆☆☆☆
Published on Sep 18, 2012
Twitter
Muscle and Fitness
@MuscIeandFit
‘nothing to it but to do it!’ #Coleman #bodybuilding
4:02 PM - 16 Apr 2015
(Trademark)
Word Mark AIN’T NOTHIN’ TO IT BUT TO DO IT!
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