“Get your ducks in a row” is a rather odd-sounding expression that means having everything in order.

There have been lots of theories to explain the origin of this phrase.

Some people believe that the expression originated in bowling alleys, where the pins were sometimes called “ducks.”

Others speculate that the expression refers to real mother ducks that travel with their progeny (see definition below) often tagging behind in straight lines.

Do you have any theories on the origin of “get your ducks in a row”?

Cool word vocabulary question of the day: Which animals do you think have the cutest progeny?

PROGENY: Children or offspring of animals or plants.