Shine a light

[sassanderson]

Where does the saying 'Shine a light and back again' or 'Shine a Light' originate from?

[Quizmonster]

'Light' has for a long time meant 'understanding'. For example, "After years of trying to solve this problem, I finally saw the light" means I grasped what the solution was. In the same way, "Shine a light!" suggests that the speaker is exasperated by someone else's failure to get the answer to some question/problem. In other words, he is asking God or nature or whatever to "illuminate" the situation so that the other guy can "see" what the solution is.

I've never heard the 'and back again' version.

[curiosity]

My old boss used to always say "shine a ruddy light" she's retired now, but it's stuck with us as one of our catchphrases.

[Octavius]

It's what Moses said when the lights went out.

[louiseclair]

it's a way of saying ' shi**' without getting into trouble from your mum!