E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Floor.
I floored him. Knocked him down on the floor; hence, to overcome, beat or surpass. Thus, we say at the university, “I floored that paper,” i.e. answered every question on it. “I floored that problem”—did it perfectly, or made myself master of it.
