A method of learning or problem-solving that involves trying different approaches until finding one that works, learning from failures along the way.
This phrase emerged in the early 19th century from legal terminology, where 'trial' referred to judicial proceedings and 'error' to mistakes in legal process. It was later adopted by scientists and educators to describe experimental methodology, emphasizing that mistakes are valuable parts of the learning process.
What's remarkable about this phrase is how it reframes failure as methodology rather than defeat. It suggests that errors aren't obstacles to success but rather stepping stones toward it, embodying the scientific method in just three words. This concept has become central to modern innovation culture.
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