[Ads-l] Antedating of "sucker punch"

[MULLINS, WILLIAM D (Bill) CIV USARMY RDECOM AMRDEC (US)]

_Boston [MA] Sunday Post_ 15 Apr 1917 p 18 col 1 [genealogybank.com]

"Jack, take it from me, that fellow Dundee is going to get caught with a sucker punch by some strong kid coming off the ropes."


> -----Original Message-----
> From: American Dialect Society [mailto:ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On Behalf Of Hugo
> Sent: Monday, November 07, 2016 1:15 AM
> To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
> Subject: [Non-DoD Source] Antedating of "sucker punch"
> 
> 
> 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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