Paint the Town Red

[Frank Abate]

But wouldn't Yalies have wanted to paint the town blue?

Frank Abate

American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU> wrote:
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>    From the NATIONAL POLICE GAZETTE, "Before the Bar" column ("Doings and Gossip Among the Saloon-Keepers, Distillers and Brewers"), 27 December 1884, pg. 14, col. 2:
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>    The expression, "painting the town red," signifying a jubileee, originated with Gov. Waller, who, in a congratulatory speech at a Yale boat crew victory, said: "I hope, gentlemen, you will paint this town red."
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>    (My niece has gotta get into Yale now--ed.)
>