NO GO



This is not the first "no go," but it explains an origin for the term.

An antedate can probably be found if I check the Sporting Magazine. This is

from January 1831, pg. 218:



They, as far as I can collect from their Sporting Magazine, start their

nags, when the gentlemen jocks are ready; the consequence is, that those who

have not a start to suit them, cry "_no go_"--and the usual results of these

_no goes_, are numerous false starts--for _their effects_, vide the Leger for

which Mameluke ran. Now _we_ say to the gentlemen jocks, you _must be_ ready

when the signal is given; therefore, endeavor to get no more than a fair

start, for if any unnecessary backwardness or any disposition to take an

unfair advantage is seen, especial care will be taken you do not profit by

it--or if you do for once, you will not be very likely to do so a second

time.



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