I'm a little late on this one since this phrase has been around for many years. In fact, the Oxford English Dictionary traces this phrase back to 1863(!):
"The plant must be sold, the brick and mortar walls demoloshed."
—P. Barry, Dockyard Economics, 1863
We've seen a resurgence in its use of late, however, presumably because it provides a nice (and these days necessary) contrast with
online or
virtual. —Paul
