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

[Pete Morris]

Are we sure  BAR-B-Q  in this cite was actually a barbecue ?

I understand  that bar-letter-letter was, and still is a fairly common
business name for cattle ranches.  Could be just coincidental,
having nothing to do with open air cooking.


------ Original Message ------
>From "James Eric Lawson" <jel at NVENTURE.COM>
To ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Date 15/11/2022 19:48:13
Subject antedating of 'bar-b-q'

>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
>
>------------------------------------------------------------
>The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org

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The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org