[Ads-l] Antedating of "Craps" (Game)

Tue Jun 12 01:23:42 UTC 2018

Great citation, Fred. Fascinating find, Peter.

Here is a citation mentioning a "craps table" in June 1841 in the
locale of New Orleans, Louisiana. (Please double check everything for
errors before using this data.)

Date: Friday, June 18, 1841
Publication: The Daily Picayune (The Times-Picayune)
Location:  New Orleans, Louisiana
Article; Criminal Court
Quote Page 2, Column 2
Database: Newspapers.com

https://www.newspapers.com/image/25561895/?terms=craps

[Begin excerpt]
Proof was given of the prisoner's hand having been seen in Corbett's
pocket, but there was no evidence that he took the money, and as it
was at a craps table, the jury must have presumed he lost it in some
other way, so they returned a verdict of "Not Guilty."
[End excerpt]

In November 1841 the phrase "craps may be against him" was used when a
gambler was described. It seems to mean "bad luck may be against him".

Date: Sunday, November 7, 1841
Publication: The Daily Picayune (The Times-Picayune)
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Quote Page 2, Column 2
Database: Newspapers.com

[Begin excerpt]
There, too, is the blackleg or, as he is called in more fashionable
phrase, the professional gambler who endeavors to dress like a fop and
look like a gentleman, but fails in both he has just arrived, to
commence the winter operations. He seems to anticipate success, though
"craps may be against him" before the winter is over.
[End excerpt]

Here is another citation referring to the loss of money at a "craps
table" in December 1841.

Date: Thursday, December 16, 1841
Publication: The Daily Picayune (The Times-Picayune)
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Quote Page 2, Column 4
Database: Newspapers.com

https://www.newspapers.com/image/25535527/?terms=craps

[Begin excerpt]
The Latest Saw.--The latest "saw," run in "these diggings" was that of
which a Western man was made the victim on Tuesday night. He entered
Recorder Bertus' office yesterday, with a face as long and lugubrious
as if he owned stock in the U. S. Bank, or had left a craps table with
empty pockets.
[End excerpt]

In June 1842 a tax was levied on "keepers of all games of Craps".

Date: Wednesday, June 29, 1842
Publication: The Daily Picayune (The Times-Picayune)
Location:  New Orleans, Louisiana
Quote Page 2, Column 2
Database: Newspapers.com

https://www.newspapers.com/image/25535852/?terms=craps

[Begin excerpt]
At the sitting of the First Municipality Council on Monday evening an
ordinance introduced by Mr. Cruzat was passed, imposing a tax or
license of $2008 per annum on the keepers of all games of Craps, and
of $3000 on all games of Keno, within the limits of the Municipality.
[End excerpt]

Garson

On Mon, Jun 11, 2018 at 8:05 PM, Peter Reitan <pjreitan at hotmail.com> wrote:
> Precursor.
>
>
> Theophilus Swift, The Gamblers, a Poem: with notes critical and explanatory, London, S. HOoper, 1777, page 7, footnote to line 101. HathiTrust
>
>
> [Excerpt - lines 101-102]Then Hazard rose, and Crabs and Doctors sprung: But not as yet the rage of Play had stung.[End Excerpt]
>
>
> [Excerpt - Footnote to line 101] Crabs.] A losing throw to the Main, in the profound Science of Hazard, is called Crabs. [End excerpt]
>
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU> on behalf of Shapiro, Fred <fred.shapiro at YALE.EDU>
> Sent: Monday, June 11, 2018 4:45 PM
> To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
> Subject: Antedating of "Craps" (Game)
>
> ---------------------- Information from the mail header -----------------------
> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       "Shapiro, Fred" <fred.shapiro at YALE.EDU>
> Subject:      Antedating of "Craps" (Game)
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> craps (game) (OED 1843)
>
>
> 1842 _Newark_ (N.J.) _Daily Advertiser_ 6 Dec. 1/2  The common game of _cra=
> ps_ in New Orleans (resembling the English "hazard") has been pronounced ga=
> mbling by the conviction of a noted house on the 25th ult.
>
>
> Fred Shapiro
>
>
>
>
>
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