"on the Fritz"

[Stephen Goranson]

As you know, "on the Fritz" is now commonly used for malfunctioning or non-functioning electric appliances, but, earlier, it was people rather than machines that were put "on the Fritz." Some of the earliest uses center on New York, especially Manhattan, and some involve money, theater, alcohol, and being out of work. Here, first, is a possible antedating, and, second, some information on one  Fritz Lindinger. Whether the two are related awaits further research.

Previous discussions traced the phrase to 1902. In the Oct. 9, 1901 Vol. 50. Iss. 1384 of Puck, published in New York, p.4 by Roy L. McCardell (apparently the same author [b. 1870] as in the HDAS 1903 quote [actually earlier published in 1902, Oct 19, Wash. Post p.19]) [ProQuest} THE SHIRTWAIST GIRL; IV EMMA LOUISE HAS A COMING-OUT PARTY TO WHICH THE ELDER MR. MONAHAN ARRIVES UNINVITED--BUT THE MAN DON'T CARE
Our Gert has had parties. Sadie Monahan had a party when she got her gold tooth grinnin' like a pianer so 's to show it; but the party I had last Saturday night put 'em all on the Fritz.
Of course Gert tried to knock it. She said if any money was being blowed in it better be blowed in on her wedding dresses and things...

Though I never before today heard of Fritz Lindinger, he was quite well known in New York in 1901. He was an owner of saloons and leader of their association, head of the Fritz Lindinger Club, an independent candidate for office, an author, one charged with bribery among other offenses (e.g. gambling), and an issuer of his own coins. He was known for providing abundant food and drink during his campaign (late 1901). It might could be possible that one out of work there could be (said to be) dependent on the Fritz.

Stephen Goranson
http://www.duke.edu/~goranson
PS Thanks, Doug Wilson, for clarifying the 1935 Dickens quote.

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