[Ads-l] Antedating of Brownie Point

[Baker, John]

The OED defines "brownie point" as a national credit for an achievement or favor in the eyes of another, especially gained by sycophantic or service behavior, and traces it back to 1963.  Dave Wilton today has a post on his website taking it back to 1951 and discussing its origins, https://www.wordorigins.org/big-list-entries/brownie-points.  Dave suggests it may be from the idea of a husband currying favor with his wife by acting the part of a brownie and performing household chores; from a point system used by Brownie Girl Scouts; a reference to brown-nosing; or from brown point used in World War II rationing.  The OED says it is probably from brown-nose, but is popularly associated with the Brownies.

Here is an earlier use that supports the association with the Brownies.  Brownies Hold Picnic, Last Meeting Of Season, Sunbury (Penn.) Daily Item, May 16, 1944, at 9, col. 2 (Newspapers.com):

"The girls gave Brownie dances and sang Brownie songs.  Awards were given to Lois Bingaman and Helen Romig for attendance and Brownie points."

Further supporting a Brownie origin, here is a 1926 example that might be bracketed.  In this example, "six" refers to a small group of Brownies.  Virginia Lee Ochletree, Pack No. 1-Fairy Pine Brownies, Norfolk (Va.) Ledger-Star, Oct. 13, 1926, at 22, col. 3 (Newspapers.com):

"Here are some of the things Brownies must do during the week:

  1.  Make up our bed two times.
  2.  Air our bed two or three times.
  3.  Have hands, fingernails, and teeth cleaned and hair neatly brushed.
During the next month we must learn something new, to darn a pair of sox, cook something fit to eat, or crochet or knit.
The contest has started and every Brownie on time will make one point for her six.  So let us try to do our best."

The term was in metaphorical use by 1945.  Here is a sarcastic example that, with other poems by U.S. service members, was published under the caption Puptent Poets.  The author clearly does have brown-nosing in mind, although the examples above seem to show an ultimate origin in Girl Scout contests.  T-5 Robert O.J. Muenz, SC, To a Brownie, Stars and Stripes (Mediterranean edition), July 30, 1945, at 4, col. 2 (NewspaperArchive):

Here's to you, my little man,
Soldier boy with nose of tan.
Shoes all shined and trousers neat,
Everybody out you beat.

Fellow soldiers you disgust
By making smiles to brass a must.
Tell me, why are you this way?
Tell me, does it really pay?

Do 90 days make one so thick
As not to see through such a trick?
Don't tell me that they're too damn dumb
To wise up to you, you little bum.

Someday you'll end up sans a friend,
Isn't that an awful end?
With us, dear pal, you've hit the bottom,
But brownie points - man you've got 'em.

So here's to you, my little man,
Soldier boy with nose of tan.
Right now you may be making hay,
But may you live to rue the day."


John Baker



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