a coined
phrase meaning to appear or come to be realized. The
term hopper refers to an imagined location into which proposed plans, actions, ideas, etc., are put. This
phrase likely comes from a cone-shaped receptacle (called a
hopper due to its hopping
action to shake
grain out when in
operation) used in a
mill where
loose grain is temporarily stored before being
ground. The
grain is filled through the top of the
hopper and later shaken out through the bottom.