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In precedenza, l'espressione era stata utilizzata, all'epoca in cui gli [[Stati Uniti]] si accingevano ad entrare in guerra nel [[prima guerra mondiale|primo conflitto mondiale]], per indicare dei volontari opportunamente addestrati che pronunciavano discorsi spontanei, lunghi al massimo quattro minuti, per spiegare le ragioni dell'interventismo. Essi pronunciavano i loro discorsi ovunque vi fosse qualche assembramento: cinema, bar, mercati, scuole, stadi, ecc.
Si trattava di una specie di vero e proprio "esercito" di civili, messo in piedi dal giornalista George Creel, nominato da [[Woodrow Wilson]] a capo del [[CPI]] (''[[Committee on Public Information]]'') per sostenere le scelte governative a favore della guerra. Secondo lo stesso Creel, oltre 75.000 ''four-minute men'', addestrati ad essere estremamente stringati ed essenziali nel parlare, avrebbero tenuto più di 7 milioni e mezzo di "mini-discorsi" coinvolgendo oltre 314 milioni di persone.
== Altri progetti ==
== Esempio di discorso di un ''four-minute man'' ==
{{interprogetto}}
{{T|inglese|storia|luglio 2010}}
Ladies and Gentlemen: I have just received the information that there is a German spy among us – a German spy watching us. He is around, here somewhere, reporting upon you and me – sending reports about us to Berlin and telling the Germans just what we are doing with the Liberty Loan. From every section of the country these spies have been getting reports over to Potsdam – not general reports but details – where the loan is going well and where its success seems weak, and what people are saying in each community.
For the German Government is worried about our great loan. Those Junkers fear its effect upon the German morale. They're raising a loan this month, too. If the American people lend their billions now, one and all with a hip-hip-hurrah, it means that America is united and strong. While, if we lend our money half-heartedly, America seems weak and autocracy remains strong.
Money means everything now; it means quicker victory and therefore less bloodshed. We are in the war, and now Americans can have but one opinion, only one wish in the Liberty Loan.
Well, I hope these spies are getting their messages straight, letting Potsdam know that America is hurling back to the autocrats these answers: For treachery here, attempted treachery in Mexico, treachery everywhere – one billion.
For murder of American women and children – one billion more.
For broken faith and promise to murder more Americans – billions and billions more.
And then we will add:
In the world fight for Liberty, our share – billions and billions and billions and endless billions.
Do not let the German spy hear and report that you are a slacker.
Committee on Public Information, Four Minute Man Bulletin, No. 17 (Oct. 8, 1917).
== Collegamenti esterni ==
{{Portale|atletica leggera}}
[[Categoria:Terminologia dell'atletica leggera]] ▼[[Categoria:Discorsi]]
[[Categoria:Stati Uniti d'America nella prima guerra mondiale]]
▲[[Categoria:Terminologia dell'atletica leggera]]
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