SPEAKEASY



The Dictionary of Americanisms has an 1889 citation that reads,

"Unlicensed saloons in Pennsylvania are known as "speak-easies."

The term probably originated in Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Press of

17 May 1899 has a front page cartoon of a "GAMBLING DIVE," which contains

"POLICY. FARO. ROULETTE. SPEAKEASY. POOL. POKER."

I can't find my other "speakeasy" and "blind tiger" citation from the

1890s. Anyway, I plan to go to Pennsylvania a week after the ADS meeting in

January, and I'll probably come up with an antedate then.



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