brick-and-mortar

[Peter McGraw]

The definitions and cites below come close to, but still barely miss, a
very common use of the term "bricks and mortar," at least in some
circles. In the world of foundations and grantmaking, a division almost
analogous to that between centum and satem languages for
Indo-Europeanists is that between grants for "bricks and mortar" (or
bricks-and-mortar grants; I don't think I've heard "brick and mortar,"
with or without the hyphen, in this context) and program grants.  Some
foundations make both kinds, but many specialize in the one and exclude
the other.  The F.W. Olin Foundation, until recently, was probably the
most famous for specializing exclusively in grants for bricks and
mortar--i.e., grants to build or renovate buildings.  Program grants
might fund research, the start-up costs to launch a new program, or any
number of other things that don't involve building construction.

On Fri, 1 Oct 1999 10:57:56 -0400 Barnhart <ADS-L at HIGHLANDS.COM> wrote:

> 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

----------------------
Peter A. McGraw
Linfield College
McMinnville, Oregon
pmcgraw at linfield.edu