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EyeSeeYou Posted 12 years ago
Business & Finance

Overheads

I think this word, meaning "fixed costs", is mostly used in AmE. Any idea about the origin of the name?
  

Top answer

A search of the Corpora suggests it is common in BrE as well, possibly more common. I have not been able to find an explanation of its use to mean fixed costs . Overhead in other contexts is a combination of over and head , and suggests just that ( the plane flew overhead ).

— Blue Jay

  • A search of the Corpora suggests it is common in BrE as well, possibly more common.
  • I have not been able to find an explanation of its use to mean fixed costs .
  • Overhead in other contexts is a combination of over and head , and suggests just that ( the plane flew overhead ).
  • There is the phrase hanging over (someone's) head , meaning something unpleasant that threatens to affect you at any time.
  • The idea may be that fixed costs are something you always have to worry about, that are always hanging over your head.
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2 Answers
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A search of the Corpora suggests it is common in BrE as well, possibly more common. I have not been able to find an explanation of its use to mean fixed costs. Overhead in other contexts is a combination of over and head, and suggests just that (the plane flew overhead). There is the phrase hanging over (someone's) head, meaning something unpleasant that t
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That sounds interesting, it may hold some water.
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