[Ads-l] Antedating of "Rent Party"

[Shapiro, Fred]

rent party (OED 1925 [28 Oct.])

1925 New Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.) 7 Mar. 7/2 (ProQuest)

Negroes find money to meet these exorbitant rent charges by going without other things.  But they have other tricks.  One is the rent party ... A person invites friends in for the evening to dance and have a good time, and charges them 25 cents a couple.

Fred Shapiro

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