Who said as the crow flies

Nowadays, this phrase is typically used as a reference for the distance between two points. It is not very helpful, however, for giving detailed directions because it does not take into account all the twists and turns one would have to take to get around big buildings, mountains, or other obstacles on the ground.

Here is an example conversation between two friends who are discussing the location of a party they will both be attending in the evening. Patrick: Hey, man! Do you know where it is? It is unhindered by obstacles and can fly in a straight line. There is no definite origin for the phrase, but one theory is that it is related to sailing. Crows are said to have been kept on ships and when the sailors suspected that they were close to land they would let the crows out.

The crows would then find the most direct route to a source of food, which could be found on land. The sailors would then sail in the direction that they crow flew. Although this story seems plausible, it seems as if is not the true origin of the idiom. Bird , Crow , Travel.

Kenrick - The Spaniaad [sic], if on foot, always travels as the crow flies, which the openness and dryness of the country permits; neither rivers nor the steepest mountains stop his course, he swims over the one and scales the other.

The term 'the crow road' has long been used in Scotland to denote the most direct route.