[Ads-l] Antedating of G-string

[Baker, John]

The OED and Merriam-Webster have G-string, a breech-cloth, from 1878, although I think it's been taken back at least to 1877 on ADS-L.  Here's an example from 1875.  Notably, it uses the spelling "G-string," although the earliest examples previously found have "geestring" or "gee-string."  This is from the (Washington, D.C.) National Republican, May 21, 1875 (Newspapers.com).

"Quite a number of the Sioux Indians visited the navy yard yesterday, and spent an hour among the big guns.  They appear more peaceable and child-like now.  If they could only be made to carry a battery or two of those fifteen-inch Long Toms in their G-string pouches, as silent reminders of our prowess, it might have a salutary effect on them."


John Baker


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