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Beat the rush

Posted by Bill on September 03, 2003

I saw a program the other night on The History Channel that stated the phrase "beat the rush" was coined in reference to the revenue clipper ship USS Rush which operated in Alaskan waters in the mid-1800's. Evidently, the locals would attempt to surreptitiously sell undeclared pelts before the ship sailed into their region, thus "beating the Rush." Does anyone have knowledge of this origin, either way?
It sounds a little too convenient to me.

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