24/7

[Baker, John]

        I remember first seeing this term, then new to me, years ago in the
back page of The Atlantic Monthly.  A connection with the drug trade was
suggested, although I don't recall if this was thought to be the origin or
merely an illustrative use.  Unfortunately, I don't know where, if at all,
The Atlantic is archived; this particular item doesn't seem to be on their
web site.

John Baker


> -----Original Message-----
> From: Barnhart [SMTP:Barnhart at HIGHLANDS.COM]
> Sent: Tuesday, September 18, 2001 1:38 PM
> To:   ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
> Subject:      24/7
>
> The term 24-7 is found in the Barnhart Dictionary Companion (Vol. 8.4,
> 1993).  It probably needs an updated treatment.
>
> No origin was speculated at the time.  My guess is that it arose in the
> slang/jargon of Silicon Valley.
>
> Regards,
> David
>
> David K. Barnhart, Editor
> The Barnhart Dictionary Companion [quarterly]
> barnhart at highlands.com
> www.highlands.com/Lexik
>
> "Necessity obliges us to neologize."
> Thomas Jefferson-August 16, 1813