Antedatings of "Blue Chip"

[Fred Shapiro]

On Fri, 22 Jun 2007, Benjamin Zimmer wrote:

> Also for the original gambling sense...
>
> 1875 _Galveston Daily News_ 7 Nov. 1/3 (19th C US Newspapers) They
> have a pious gambler in Cincinnati by the name of Bolley Lewis. He
> always contributes blue chips and last week presented his pastor with
> a handsome horse and buggy.

Here's still earlier:

1873 _N.Y. Times_ 3 Sept. 5 (ProQuest Historical Newspapers)  In asking
for money [in gambling at the game of faro] he would always call for
chips, designated as follows: A white chip, $1: a red chip, $5, and a blue
chip, $20 -- the several amounts being levied according to his estimate of
the ability of the giver.

Fred Shapiro


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