"Gig" (early cites) (was Re: "Axe" for 'guitar'?)

[Gregory {Greg} Downing]

I wrote (actually, quoted):

"OED2 gig, n.6  colloq.
[Origin unknown.]"

Fast afterthought: There seem to be several ways in which musician-lingo
"gig" could have grown out of one of the earlier gig's (OED2 gig n.1 through
n.5). However, given that the editor(s) of OED2 who wrote "origin unknown"
must have considered these possible connections and found nothing solid to
support them, I shall avoid bucking for the Horne Tooke award by speculating
in this venue.... (You're welcome!)


Greg Downing/NYU, at greg.downing at nyu.edu or gd2 at is2.nyu.edu