[Lazamataz]

I also had noticed the galaxy is going to pot.

What is the origin of that phrase? It struck me as odd, even as a teenager, when I read that in Azimov's work.

[ichabod1]

Best Answer - Chosen by the Asker

This idiom was used in 1542, when the phrase first appeared, “to go to pot” was to be cut up like chunks of meat destined for the stew pot. Such a stew was usually the last stop for the remnants of a once substantial cut of meat or poultry, so “going to pot” made perfect sense as a metaphor for anything, from a national economy to a marriage, that had seen better days. Early uses of the metaphor were usually in the form “go to the pot.”

[Tax-chick]

It seems to have originated in the 16th century as an idiom for “die,” because when something died, it could be thrown in the pot for cooking. Now, it simply means “to deteriorate” or to decline in value or usefulness.

[spintreebob]

going to pot

going to potty