nitty-gritty

[Victor Steinbok]

Other than "likely valid" (which was in jest--considering the origin of
the thread) all parts you criticized had been directly quoted. I did not
write them.

     VS-)

On 12/13/2011 6:54 PM, Wilson Gray wrote:
> On Tue, Dec 13, 2011 at 4:18 PM, Victor Steinbok<aardvark66 at gmail.com>  wrote:
>> Online Etymological Dictionary:
>>
>>> "basic facts," 1961, knitty-gritty, Amer.Eng., said to have been
>>> chiefly used by black jazz musicians, perhaps ultimately from nit and
>>> grits "finely ground corn."
>> Just the fact that this is a purely 20th century expression should have
>> ended any speculations on the subject.
>>
>> Certainly, 1961 is not right. I just found a 1947 newspaper source.
>> "Basic facts" is not quite right either (at least, it's not the only
>> meaning). On the other hand, the ethnic derivation is likely valid.
>   _chiefly used by black jazz musicians_
>
> As were, of course, my grade-school classmates and I, back in the '40's.
>
>   _the ethnic derivation is likely valid_
>
> Surely, you jest! Or is that meant to be merely sarcastic?
>
> The OED Online cites _nitty-gritty_ from 1940, noting
>
> colloq. (orig. U.S. in African-American usage).
>
> _perhaps ultimately from nit and grits "finely ground corn."_
>
> Grits are made from coarsely-ground hominy. Of course, *hominy* is
> made from corn.
>
> --
> -Wilson

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