- NEW!
by 512souro on May 5th, 2005
Source: http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?l=b&p=14
bootleg
1889 (adj.), 1903 (v.), Amer.Eng. slang, from the trick of concealing something down the leg of a high boot (originally a flask of liquor).
Source : http://ask.yahoo.com/ask/20030103.html
The first use of the phrase is found in the Omaha Herald in 1889:
There is as much whisky consumed in Iowa now as there was before..."for medical purposes only," and on the boot-leg plan.
A bootleg refers to the long leather boots worn by cowboys in the Old West. They were used to store all manner of illicit goods, including an extra gun, a bowie knife, or a flask of moonshine. Incidentally, a bootleg play in football refers to quarterback running pattern that entails making a sharp perpendicular turn around the tight end.
Over at Random House, the Maven's Word of the Day notes the phrase's surge in popularity during the Prohibition Era. It's now used to refer to anything illegal, unauthorized, and unregulated, like concert recordings.
Where does the word"halogen"come from?
by Answerbag Staff on May 6th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
What words can be made out of the followingletters Y, I, X, V, A, F, E, Z, T, A
by rasolis2003 on July 20th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
What does freely mean?
by Answerbag Staff on April 30th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
What is the origin of the name Dorpema?
by Answerbag Staff on April 23rd, 2011
| 1 person likes this
what is the origin of the "F" word?
by supercricketman on April 28th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
You're reading What is the origin of the term "bootleg"?
Your favorite Q&A site is on Facebook! Become a fan to connect with the ever-growing community of Answerbaggers, share your thoughts and find out what Answerbag's up to next!
Comments