The origin is definitely further back. I recall hearing "it takes longer to get it compiling, but when it compiles it works" about OCaml more than a decade ago. When I mentioned this to my father at that point, he remarked that the sentiment goes back further.
I wouldn't be terribly surprised if he'd been thinking of Ada evangelists, though I think there are other candidates too. Unfortunately, I can't ask him to clarify...
You know, that's certainly correct. I feel like roconnor's post comes to mind for me because of it's audacity more than its primality. I'll make a note in my original comment if I can.
