first come, first served

The prompt get first choice. This idea was stated by Chaucer (c. 1386) in The Wife of Bath’s Tale, “Whoso first cometh to the mill, first grist,” and was cited as a proverb by Erasmus. An early refer- ence with the exact modern wording dates from about 1545, in Henry Brinklow’s Complaynt of Roderick Mors. See also EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM.