School of Hard Knocks

The term originated in the United States; its earliest documented use was in 1870 in the book The Men Who Advertise:[1] "... his misfortunes were largely owing to the inexperience of youth.

[2]It is a phrase which is most typically used by a person to claim a level of wisdom imparted by life experience, which should be considered at least equal in merit to academic knowledge.

It may also be used facetiously, to suggest that formal education is not of practical value compared with "street" experience.

In the UK, Australia and New Zealand, the phrases "University of Life" and "School of Hard Knocks" may be used interchangeably.

Alderson Broaddus College in Philippi, West Virginia, US, sponsored the organization, which moved its offices to the A-B campus in 1976.