[Ads-l] antedating of 'bar-b-q'

[James Eric Lawson]

OEDO 'bar-b-q' 3rd Ed Dec 2004, modified Dec 2021: attested from 1926.
"= BARBECUE n. 4. [A large social entertainment, usually in the open
air, at which animals are roasted whole, and other provisions liberally
supplied. ... Originally U.S.] Also *attributive*: designating barbecued
or barbecue-flavoured food."

_The Buffalo Daily Republic_, 30 Oct 1856, 3/2:

This democrat had the word "*Buchanier*" printed on his hat, and a
placard bearing the hieroglyphics "Bar B Q" attached to the romantic
portion of his overcoat."

Op. cit. 3/3:

No mails from the northwest in yet. It is supposed that they have been
sent down to the "Bar B Q," by mistake, the supposition being that the
Postoffice department had moved down on Clinton street.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/254962527/?terms=%22Bar-B-Q%22&match=1

Op. cit. 31 Oct 1856 headline, 3/2:

The "Bar B Q" of Yesterday.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/254962540/?terms=%22Bar-B-Q%22&match=1

The articles contain a variety of other forms: 'barbecue', 'Barbykew',
'barbacue', 'Barb E Q'. The attributive also appears, e.g., "barbacued
shoat", as well as a plural agent noun "barbacuers".

-- 
James Eric Lawson

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