"human fly" antedating

[Jim Parish]

Jonathan Lighter wrote:
> 1885 _Wheeling (W. Va.) Sunday Register_ (Feb. 15) 3:  Aimee, the Human Fly, who appeared at the New Central Theater in Philadelphia last week, is a fine athlete.
>
>   1885 _National Police Gazette_ (Mar. 7) 6: Mlle. Preciosa Grigolatis. who is professionally known as "The Human Fly," and who does an astounding aerial acrobatic act. has only been in this country a few months. She was first introduced here by Herr Amberg at the Thalia theatre and made a hit
even more pronounced than that of Ida Mulle or Pauline Hall.

Hmm. Is there reason to believe that the phrase, as used here, doesn't
just refer to being a talented acrobat, as opposed to the more specific
later meaning?

Jim Parish

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