[Ads-l] Antedating rainmaker WAS Re: rain = clients (that bring in revenue)

[Stephen Goranson]

Yes, Peter, there is some difference, though perhaps a transition obtains. Rainmakers were often seen as charlatans. And in the 1891 case, the sun is indeed said to go away for some folks, but for others presumably cash flows in to the pawn shop, here presented as disreputable. maybe.

Stephen


________________________________
From: American Dialect Society <..> on behalf of Peter Reitan <...>
Sent: Monday, July 16, 2018 2:03 PM
To: ...
Subject: Re: [ADS-L] Antedating rainmaker WAS Re: rain = clients (that bring in revenue)

I read these two "rainmaker" cites as being different from the current sense of the partner who make it rain by bringing in the paying clients.

The 1891 Springfield Republican cite is backwards, the "rainmaker" makes the economic sun go away with clouds caused by tariffs.

The Dixon Evening Telegraph citation refers to charlatans, who are as dishonest as con-artists who pretend to bring rains for a fee.

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Subject: Re: Antedating rainmaker WAS Re: rain = clients (that bring in revenue)

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Maybe relevant:

"...These as a rule make fairly good wages when they work, but every little=
 while some rain-maker comes along and by discharging a few tariff bombs dr=
ives their financial sun under a cloud...."


Springfield Republican, page 5
Publication Date:
December 6, 1891
Published as:
Springfield Republican
Location:
Springfield, Massachusetts
Headline:
Springfield News And Comment. Pawnbrokers And Their Shops. Peculiarities In=
 The Business Which Has Its
Article Type:
News/Opinion


S. Goranson


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From: American Dialect Society <..> on behalf of MULLINS, WILLIAM D (Bill) =
CIV USARMY RDECOM AMRDEC (US) <..>
Sent: Monday, July 16, 2018 11:03 AM
To: ..
Subject: [ADS-L] Antedating rainmaker WAS Re: rain =3D clients (that bring =
in revenue)

And "rainmaker" can be slightly antedated:



_Dixon [Illinois] Evening Telegraph_ 25 Jul 1895 p 3 col 4 [newspapers.com]

[headline]

"FINANCIAL RAINMAKERS

Free Silver Charlatans Endeavoring to Humbug the People."





> -----Original Message-----

> From: American Dialect Society [..] On Behalf Of Ben Zimmer

> Sent: Monday, July 16, 2018 2:02 AM

> To: ..

> Subject: [Non-DoD Source] Re: rain =3D clients (that bring in revenue)

>

>

> Appears to be a kind of back-formation from "rainmaker." OED3 has the rel=
evant sense:

>

> ----

> 4. fig. Business (orig. U.S.). A person who generates business or income =
for a company or organization, esp. by attracting clients.

> 1897   Milwaukee (Wisconsin) Jrnl. 8 Dec. 4/2   He does not make any

> special exhibit of his financial rain maker, Mr. Wolcott.

> 1971   Washington Post 16 May b3/1   'He was mostly a rainmaker,' the kin=
d

> of legal agent who makes things happen.

> 1989   Toronto Star (Nexis) 26 Mar. f2   These are the rainmakers who are

> leaving. These are the guys who bring in the business.

> 1999   N.Y. Mag. 20 Sept. 32/3   A Democratic rainmaker who raised $1.5

> million for Democratic candidates.

> 2002   P. Augar & J. Palmer Rise Player Manager xiii. 286   Heroes in the

> professions are those in the front line: the star barristers, the rainmak=
ers in corporate finance, the creatives in advertising.

> ----
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