brick-and-mortar

[Bob Fitzke]

I heard the phrase in the 50s to describe a politician who causes something
to be built with his (her) name on it as a "bricks and mortar" memorial.
Also in connection with a millage vote that was for "bricks and mortar" as
opposed to other uses.

Bob

Paul McFedries wrote:

> I used "brick-and-mortar" as the Word Spy yesterday, mostly because it
> has been seen quite a lot in recent years thanks to its nice contrast
> with "online" and "virtual." 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?
>
> Thanks
>
> Paul
> Word Spy: http://www.logophilia.com/WordSpy/