A tall order

Origin

The phrase 'a tall order' likely emerged in the bustling commercial world of the 19th century, drawing its meaning from the everyday language of trade and manufacturing. Imagine a merchant or craftsman confronted with a customer's request—not just for any product, but for one that was unusually large, complex, or demanded with impossible speed. Such a request wouldn't just be an ordinary 'order'; it would be one that, in its sheer scope or difficulty, metaphorically stacked up high, towering over the usual expectations. This vivid image of a demanding task physically 'piling up' became a punchy, memorable way to describe anything exceptionally difficult to achieve, easily translating from the factory floor to broader conversation.