An army formed of good officers moves like clock-work.

George Washington

Although the precise origin of “like clockwork” is murky, references can be found in 16th and 17th century literature:

  • Thomas Lodge (1592) uses “as a clock” similes, providing evidence that the clock metaphor is in active use.
  • John Donne (c. 1610) compares the human body to a clock in A Funeral Elegy.
  • Samuel Pepys (1661) marvels at automata and clockwork displays, and frequently uses the word “clock-work” in his Diary.
  • Robert Hooke (mid- to late-1600s) leans on clock analogies to explain mechanism, with “nature as a clock”.

But it’s deep into the 18th century when the earliest idiomatic usage appears of something running “like clockwork”: the Oxford English Dictionary referred to the phrase “everything moves like clockwork” in 1775. No examples of such usage can be found in earlier literature, leading us to assume that it was a colloquial expression at the time.

And so it fell to George Washington, a year later, to provide us with the earliest known written instance of “like clockwork” in his correspondence with the President of the Continental Congress, John Hancock, during the Revolutionary War.

Washington had evacuated his forces across the East River from Brooklyn to Manhattan after his defeat in the Battle of Long Island in late August 1776. His letter was written on September 4th, while he was in the process of reorganizing and reinforcing the Continental Army for an expected British invasion of Manhattan. It would eventually occur on September 15th, when forces under General Howe landed at Kips Bay. 

Sir,

Since I had the honor of addressing you last, nothing material has occurred. The enemy remain in their present position and continue to strengthen their lines. From some movements yesterday and the day before, and the advices received from deserters, it would seem as if they were preparing to attack us, or to make a diversion elsewhere.

An army formed of good officers moves like clock-work; but there is no situation upon earth less enviable, nor more distressing, than that person’s who is at the head of troops, who are regardless of order and discipline, and unprovided with almost every necessary. There is such a mixture of the brigadier’s authority with that of the states, that it is next to impossible to conduct the business of the army.

I am wearied almost to death with the retrograde motion of things, and I solemnly declare that no man, I believe, ever encountered greater difficulties or so great a variety of embarrassment as I have done, and that too, with so little success to encourage perseverance.

The appointment of general officers, as recommended by Congress, is exceedingly necessary; our business cannot be conducted without them, as it is impossible for the Commander in Chief to attend to every detail in person.

I have the honor to be, etc.,

G. Washington

It seems fitting that Washington was amongst the earliest adopters of the idiom of “like clockwork”, given his meticulous and disciplined mind. And it provides a uniquely American pedigree for a phrase that many perhaps assume came from England!