On the Half Shell (1858, 1859)

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   OED has "on the half shell" from 1860, using a note from AMERICAN SPEECH.  The BROOKLYN EAGLE's first citations were in 1855, regarding a political party called the "Half Shells."  There are several citations in the mid-late 1850s, but not earlier.


   From Making of America (Cornell):

   March 1854, HARPER'S NEW MONTHLY MAGAZINE, pg. 536:
   We can hardly reconcile ourselves to this; although perhaps in view of our own consumption of raw oysters "on the half shell," we have little right to be over-fastidious in the matter of "broundo."

   From Making of America (Michigan-Books):

  Author: [Underhill, Edward Fitch] 1830-1898.
Title: The history and records of the Elephant club; comp. from authentic documents now in possession of the Zoèological society. By Knight Russ Ockside, M. D. [pseud.] and Q. K. Philander Doesticks, P. B. [pseud.]
Publication date: 1857.
Pg. 73:  "Here are the spot, Where good oysters is got."  The club descended into the saloon, and Mr. Cake called for six half dozens on the half shell.

   From Literature Online (drama):

Brougham, John, 1810-1880 [Author Record]
Columbus, El Filibustero!! (1858) 94Kb
COLUMBUS EL FILIBUSTERO!! A NEW AND AUDACIOUSLY ORIGINAL HISTORICO-PLAGIARISTIC, ANTE-NATIONAL, PRE-PATRIOTIC, AND OMNI-LOCAL CONFUSION OF CIRCUMSTANCES, RUNNING THROUGH TWO ACTS AND FOUR CENTURIES. AS PERFORMED AT BURTON'S THEATRE, DECEMBER, 1857 AND AT HOLLIDAY STREET THEATRE, BALTIMORE, 1858. 92Kb
Found 1 hit:
Main text 88Kb
ACT II. 25Kb
SCENE I. 24Kb
...dozen roasted Jews on the  half-shell--- [Standardized name] ...


   From Accesible Archives:

December 8, 1859
THE NATIONAL ERA
Washington, D. C.
Page 193
... shop, but they only give him the dyspepsia, and he longs now, with the longing of miserable nostalgia, for a couple of dozen “Sound oysters” on the half-shell, or a big plate of clam-chowder, as only Molly knows how to prepare it. AhMolly!that thought chokes him. He has gambled with some of the ...