"a Heads Up On This..."

[sandyRoe]

Heard a radio presented say this this morning. From the context it seems to mean give advance warning. Where did this phrase come from?

[dr b]

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/heads-up.html

[tonyav]

I wouldn't be surprised if it's something to do with coin tossing ' heads or tails'.
Although it seems to have an American sound to it imo.

[shoota]

Probably from the world of the Meerkat......

[factor-fiction]

It has been used a lot in business/management speak for almost 10 years I don't recall it being used before around 2004 so i'm not sure why it's use became so common.

[Baldric]

Few ideas here

http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/heads-up.html

[dr b]

OED gives first use as 1916:

orig. U.S. ‘Pay attention!’ ‘Watch out!’
1916 Daily Rev. (Decatur, Illinois) 8 Aug. 11/2 It is customary for the foreman of the crew to cry ‘Heads up’ as a warning, then the conductor signals the engineer to pull ahead about a car length.

[sandyRoe]

Thank you all. Wherever it came from it shoul join phrases like, 'blue sky thinking' and 'run it up the flagpole and see who salutes', in some newspeak dustbin.

[Octavius]

I use it in covering emails when attaching reports, e.g.

As a heads up:
- we are behind programme
- we are over budget
- 2,300 quality notices have been served to date

[lankeela]

I agree with shoota!