[Ads-l] Antedating of "Third Degree" (Interrogation)

[Shapiro, Fred]

third degree (OED, 5., 1900)

1883 _New York Tribune_ 5 Feb. 5  When taken to Police Headquarters and put through what Inspector Byrnes styled "the third degree of initiation," or "pumping process," they all confessed their guilt.

Fred Shapiro

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