cigarette girl

[Sam Clements]

Of course, we've all seen the 1920s-1930's and later movies with the doll in a skimpy outfit, hawking cigarettes in night clubs.

But, I'm wondering where it came from.  I've checked OED, HDAS, and searched Google a little.  Not much luck.

The term turns up as early as the 1880's using Newspaperarchive, with reference to a character in Carmen, the opera.  

Then, there is a horrible death of one Annie Goiodwin, in NY in 1890.  She's always referred to as a "cigarette girl" but I can't find out why.

Perhaps, if I wanted to spend a few more hours, I could come up with answer, but defer to the scholars on here.

Sam Clements

PS--Larry once posted his mother was a "cigarett girl" in NY in the 30's.  Maybe he knows.

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