brick-and-mortar

[Barnhart]

Paul from the Word Spy wrote:

>I checked Lexis-Nexis for the earliest cite and came up with one from
>July 20, 1973 (which was actually
>"bricks-and-mortar"). However, a subscriber wrote to me and said he was
>sure he'd heard the phrase used in the sixties. Can anyone confirm this
>or provide an earlier cite?

What a coincidence, The Barnhart Dictionary Companion (Vol. 12.1) just
published by Merriam-Webster in September contains:


>bricks-and-mortar or brick-and-mortar,  n. Often used attributively.
>{W}  Also written brick and mortar or bricks and mortar.  1.a. a
>construction of bricks and mortar or of similarly durable and sturdy
>material, as opposed to temporary or insubstantial materials.  Standard
>(used in contexts dealing especially with construction; frequent)

>Marvin Walter moved onto the property just 1 1/2 miles north of the
>Arizona-Utah state line, converting two mobile homes into the first
>clinic.  In 1961, the clinic was transformed into a brick-and-mortar
>hospital.  Cherrill Crosby, “Utah Hospital: Low on cash, high on
>hopes,” The Salt Lake Tribune [Salt Lake City, Utah] (Nexis), July 24,
>1994, p A1

>Abstract: ‘bricks-and-mortar’ bill to provide Fed aid for maintenance,
>repair and construction of museum display areas draws strong support
>from museum spokesmen, including E B Nyquist, O Wittmann and R M Lunny,
>at July 19 Sen Labor subcom hearing.  Abstract of an article in The New
>York Times (Nexis), July 20, 1973, p 18

>b.  a formal structure, as opposed to an idea, theory or a plan for a
>project.

>Duckworth made his fortune when he sold his Worcester heating company
>to Bosch in a deal worth more than pounds 100 million, but his
>investment in Worcester has largely been in bricks and mortar,
>developing the club's magnificent Sixways complex, rather than in
>pension policies for foreign stars in the twilight of their careers.
>Rupert Bates, “Rugby Union: Worcester relish chance to test really hot
>water,” Sunday Telegraph [London] (Nexis), Jan. 3, 1999, p 09

>Twenty to 25 new buildings have been built, including the library tower
>and an almost-completed music building that will give the university
>brick and mortar frontage on West Market Street for the first time.
>“We are a university in name and fact and a darn good one, too,” Davis
>declared.  Jim Schlosser, “Long-Time Voice of UNCG Retires,” News &
>Record [Greensboro, N.C.] (Nexis), Dec. 31, 1998, p B1

>2.  Especially attributive in use.   physical buildings, offices,
>stores or other places, as opposed to cyberspace, the Internet, or
>World-Wide-Web.  Compare meat world (DC 11.1: 1992).

>Unwanted gifts stack up like a scene from "How the Grinch Stole
>Christmas." E-commerce companies begin planning for the next holiday
>season and build brick-and-mortar storefronts for returns. These kiosks
>gradually grow into multilevel "touch and feel" centers (for
>merchandise, that is, not for personal destruction). Despite all naive
>predictions to the contrary, the malling of America continues apace.
>Kelly Lynch, “World Gone Mad,” tele.com (Nexis), Jan. 4, 1999, p 4

>Earlier this week, the discount and online broker's stock market value
>surpassed that of Merrill Lynch & Co., the largest  bricks-and-mortar
>brokerage. Schwab's market capitalization is down to $22 billion, below
>Merrill's market cap of $24 billion.  Philip Boroff and Nick Olivari,
>“Stocks Fall Back From Record Levels,” Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Nexis),
>Dec. 31, 1998, p E-2
>
>It aims now to build a sophisticated shopping portal and search engine
>that would provide small and midsize businesses with e-commerce
>technical support and services.  "They're hooking up with
>brick-and-mortar retailers that are jumping on this chance to get
>involved in the Internet craze," says Brett Hendrickson at
>institutional broker-dealer B. Riley in Los Angeles.  Elliot Blair
>Smith, “iMall stock zooms 135%,” USA Today (Nexis), Dec. 23, 1998, p 3B

>And once you get the hang of it, you can completely forgo brick and
>mortar for bits and bytes by doing business with a "virtual bank."
>Security First Network Bank--the first of its kind--will offer
>everything from personal loans to bill paying and brokerage products
>via the the World Wide Web in 1996 (its address: http://www.sfnb.com).
>Karen Cheney, “How Much Cash To Keep For a Crisis,” Money (Nexis),
>Forecast issue 1996, p 98
>
>
>Composite (compound): formed from brick (BDE: 1416) and mortar (OED:
>c1250, figuratively: 1377).

I, too, would be much appreciative of earlier documentation.

Regards,
David K. Barnhart, Editor
The Barnhart Dictionary Companion
www.highlands.com/Lexik