[Ads-l] Antedating of "sucker punch"

[Hugo]

The OED's first is a 1947 in American Speech.


1919 December 9, Jaffe, Louis H., “Murphy Put Away by Blow on Break”,
in Evening Public Ledger[1], volume Vol. VI - No. 74, Philadelphia,
Pa., page 19:

---
Benjamin crossed his right, a short punch traveling less than six
inches, as he and Murphy stepped back from the breakaway. Many of the
spectators did not see the blow that laid the West Philadelphian low.
It was a "sucker punch," as Nick Hayes would have it. Coming out of a
clinch, Benjamin took one step backward, then stepped forward before
Murphy lifted his arms, crossing his right simultaneously, and zowie--
it was curtains for one of the millions of heroes of the "Big Fight."
Jimmy dropped back on his haunches. His eves appeared to be clear, and
he knew what he wanted to do--but apparently couldn't do it.
---

[1] http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045211/1919-12-09/ed-1/seq-19/#words=sucker+punch

Hugo

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