"drive-by shooting"--- query from National Geographic research editor (UNCLASSIFIED)

[Mullins, Bill AMRDEC]

Classification:  UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

Robin -- I doubt anyone will be able to tell you the "first" use of the
phrase.  The best anyone can do is find early uses, but it is always
possible that an earlier-still use will be found by someone else.  At
any rate, it's fairly easy to antedate 1996.

Regards,
Bill Mullins


>From ProQuest Historical Newspapers:
SHOOTOUTS REPLACING FIST-SWINGING RUMBLES   Los Angeles Times;     MIKE
TERRY;  Aug 28, 1980;   p. B3;
"The mafia-style drive-by shooting was just the latest variation on an
increasingly violent theme."


>From Newsbank:

ANCHORMAN SHOT AT L.A. INTERSECTION
Philadelphia Inquirer, The (PA) - October 26, 1983 Page: A03
Author: Associated Press

"Police said they believed Dunphy was the victim of a " drive-by
shooting " Monday night at an intersection near the ABC television
complex in Hollywood. "

> -----Original Message-----
> From: American Dialect Society
> [mailto:ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On Behalf Of Cohen, Gerald Leonard
> Sent: Tuesday, April 01, 2008 9:43 PM
> To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
> Subject: Re: "drive-by shooting"--- query from National
> Geographic research editor
>
> ---------------------- Information from the mail header
> -----------------------
> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       "Cohen, Gerald Leonard" <gcohen at MST.EDU>
> Subject:      Re: "drive-by shooting"--- query from National
> Geographic
>               research editor
> --------------------------------------------------------------
> -----------------
>
> Dear Robin Reid,
>     I'm forwarding your message to the American Dialect
> Society's Internet discussion group, whose interests extend
> to all aspects of English.  At least several members are
> particularly knowledgeable about early attestations of terms
> and may be able to help you.
>
>    So, ads-l members, would any of you have information on
> the earliest attestation(s) of "drive-by shooting"?  If so,
> please respond both to Robin Reid and ads-l. Thanx in advance.
>
> Best. --- Gerald Cohen
> gcohen at mst.edu
>
> ________________________________
>
> From: Robin Reid [mailto:rstreid at comcast.net]
> Sent: Tue 4/1/2008 5:32 PM
> To: Cohen, Gerald Leonard
> Subject: query from National Geographic research editor
>
>
>
> Hello Gerald,
>
> My name is Robin Reid, and I'm a research editor for National
> Geographic magazine. I found you while searching for the
> origins of the phrase "drive-by shooting." I'm preparing a
> timeline to illustrate a story we're doing about the impact
> automobiles have had on society, and my art director wondered
> if we could pinpoint when the phrase entered the American lexicon.
>
> WordOrigins indicates it came about in 1996 along with other
> drive- bys, but it then referred me to the society's Web
> site, and drive-by shooting doesn't show up in 1996.
>
> Can you help me?
>
> Many thanks!
>
> Robin Reid
> 410-435-1284
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org
>
>
Classification:  UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: NONE

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