Origin of Phrase 800 Pound Gorilla

Hi..

The oldest post is at 1994:
http://shopping.msn.com/eshopframe.aspx?merchId=2412&catId=0&u=http%3a%2f%2fwww.amazon.com%2fexec%2fobidos%2fexternal-search%3ftag%3dmsn-booksfo%26keyword%3d800+pound+gorilla

I've seen the top post and it does not answer my question.  And there's no reason to believe it was first in that 1994 book.  The question will remain open until I can find the person or organization who definitively used it first.

..Sorry ... that was...the oldest post that i could find...

This is a reference to that phrase: http://www.nea.org/teachexperience/gb040405.html

Still no clue about its origin though

I appreciate your efforts, but I'll keep the question open until I get a direct answer to the question about the first use.

Chapman’s Dictionary of American Slang

600/800/900-POUND GORILLA by 1970s: A powerful force; a virtually irresistible influence <. . . likens Spielberg to an ‘800-pound gorilla.’ which can be defined as a high-priced Holly wood species that makes its own decisions.—Los Angeles Times> <. . . there were no obvious 900-pound gorillas like Forest Gump or Schindler’s List—Wisconsin State Journal> [Etymology: from a joke in which the question “Where does a 600-pound gorilla sleep?” is answered “Anywhere it wants.”]

That entymology seems kind of weak.  I'll accept it if need be.

I would also note that that post doesn't tell me what the first metaphorical use was.  It might say where they got the idea, however.

It's like asking for the phrase "whatever"..  Could have been used on the 1400's could have started in the 1960's, who knows.   It seems rather ridiculous to me to have this post open anymore after JC gave a fair answer.


AC

I'll close it in a few days if I haven't received a better answer.  However, if I am going to give credit for an answer of that type, it will go to Callandor, because he first cited the joke.

I've accepted Callandor's answer only because no one could do better.