Is it "first thing's first" or "first things first"?

[CaptainWacky]

I always thought it was "first thing's first" as in "first thing IS first" but I've noticed in books and stuff that it's always written as "first things first." So is "first things first", in fact, correct and not "first thing's first"?

ANOTHER GREAT THREAD BROUGHT TO YOU BY TEAM WACKY.

 

[Donovan]

plural, not apostrophe. Technically both would be appropriate but the written way is the accepted way.

 

['Gear]

Time to adjust meds. Where's the good Dr.?

 

[Eggs Mayonnaise]

Idiom Quest: "first things first"

 

[FBI parte due]

Fun fact: http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/have_another_think_coming

 

[Dr Dave]

I think it would be the latter, CaptainWacky.

 

[CaptainWacky]

BUT WHAT IF THERE'S ONLY ONE THING.

 

[Cassie]

TOUCH IT.

 

[CaptainWacky]