Printer's ink in one's veins
Meaning
To have a deep, inherent passion and dedication for the newspaper, printing, or journalism profession.
Origin
The industrial revolution brought the daily newspaper to the masses, and with it, a demanding, inky world of deadlines and clattering presses. In the bustling newsrooms and print shops of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the air was thick with the distinct, metallic scent of printer's ink. This pervasive aroma, coupled with the relentless rhythm of production and the passionate dedication required, led to the vivid metaphor that one's very blood could be stained with the trade. To declare someone had "printer's ink in their veins" was to acknowledge an almost genetic, undeniable calling to the exhilarating, grimy, and essential world of journalism and print.
Examples
- From the moment he first stepped into the pressroom, it was clear he had printer's ink in his veins, living and breathing every deadline.
- Despite the long hours and dwindling circulation, she remains a tenacious reporter because she truly has printer's ink in her veins.