Antedating of "Jackpot"

[Fred Shapiro]

OED has 1881 as its first use for "jackpot."  I think I sent them an 1874
or 1875 citation years ago, but in case I'm wrong here's an antedating
from 1879 (via American Periodical Series):

1879 _National Police Gazette_ 29 Mar. 15  William Penn won from the
Indians by the simple expedient of opening a "jack-pot" with five aces.

Fred Shapiro


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Fred R. Shapiro                             Editor
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