Antedating of "Communist"

[Fred Shapiro]

communist (OED 1842)

1840 _New-York Spectator_ 22 Aug. (19th Century U.S. Newspapers)  These
men were _Communists_, the same whom we have seen at the democratic
festival of the _Barriere Mont Parnasse_, interrupting the presiding
officer and thrusting forward their insolent and paltry egotism.  On the
next morning the _National_ contained a description of the scene above
narrated, together with a letter in which one of the party was clearly
indicated as a spy and a provoker of disturbances.  It contained also
another letter, signed by 18 students in the name of a much greater
number, protesting against the conduct of the Communists, and concluding
with the significant words, "Let them not attempt a repetition." ... There
happened to be a meeting of students at the house of M. Blaise, and the
Communist delegates appeared somewhat disappointed.

Fred Shapiro


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