bootlegger
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May 18, 2025
The word “Bootlegger” originated in the U.S. Midwest in the 1880s to describe people who smuggled flasks of alcohol in their high boot tops. The practice pre-dated Prohibition, and was used particularly to avoid detection when trading with Native Americans, which was forbidden or heavily regulated.
The term gained widespread usage during Prohibition (1920–1933) to describe those illegally transporting liquor, often hiding it in cars. A moonshiner was someone who made illegal liquor and a bootlegger (or sometimes a rum runner) was someone who transported it. More about the history of moonshine and bootlegging at Moonshine University.
The term gained widespread usage during Prohibition (1920–1933) to describe those illegally transporting liquor, often hiding it in cars. A moonshiner was someone who made illegal liquor and a bootlegger (or sometimes a rum runner) was someone who transported it. More about the history of moonshine and bootlegging at Moonshine University.
Rate of Appearance in English Language Print
Google's Ngram project shows how often a pair of words has appeared in print every year since the 1800's.
Data from Google Books Ngram Viewer. Licensed under CC BY 3.0.
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