"put the 'Kibosh on 'em" (antedating, 1834)

[Douglas G. Wilson]

I note that "kibosh" is nearly synonymous with "quietus" in some cases
including early examples.

Can the "ki-" be "qui-" as in "quietus"? Sounds far-fetched offhand, but
....

J. R. Ware, _Passing English of the Victorian Era_ (1909) [George
Thompson just recently mentioned this book!]: p. 164:

<<*Kwy* (_Fast Life_, 1800-40). First syllable of 'quietus' -- death.>>

[I think "fast life" here refers to some social milieu, not to a book or
periodical.]

If "kwy" = "death" and "bash" = "blow" [noun], I suppose "kwy-bash"
could mean "death-blow" or maybe "knockout punch", close enough to
"kibosh" I guess (especially given the possibility of dialectal
pronunciation differences).

Just one more candidate for the list ... with about the same supporting
evidence (or rather lack thereof) as the other candidates, so far.

Incidentally there are a few instances of "kibosh" spelled with "qui-",
FWLIW.

-- Doug Wilson

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