"plunging bath" and "shower(ing) bath" 1792; antedate 1794 and 1803

Joel S. Berson Berson at ATT.NET
Mon Feb 21 18:31:12 UTC 2011


Found as a benefit of loose OCR on rude type, while searching for
plugging coins.
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Wigwam Baths.
GEORGE HILL
Presents his respectful compliments to the public in general, and his
friends in particular, informs them, he ha taken that pleasant
situation in Race street, on the banks of the Schuylkill, known by
the name of the Wigwam; it is now in complete order; has one plunging
and two showering baths, with a spring of Chalybeate water, (well
known for its virtue) for the use of those that wish to bathe or drink.

[Not both at the same time from the single plunging bath, I trust!]

Dunlap's American Daily Advertiser [Philadelphia], Date: 07-02-1792;
Issue: 4191; Page: Copy of Supplement [2]; col. 3.  EAN.

"plunging bath" antedates OED3 (July 2009) "plunging" noun, sense C2,
1794--.  (H. Wansey presumably wrote after returning from excursing
to the banks of the Schuylkill.)

"showering-bath", antedates OED2 "shower-bath", sense a,
1803--.  (There is no entry and no quotations for "*showering* bath".)
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Joel

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