Origin "pulling a Fast One"

Posted by R. Berg on May 29, 2003

In Reply to: Origin "pulling a Fast One" posted by J. Boehmke on May 29, 2003

: What I am looking for is the origin for the phrase "pulling a fast one" - What was pulled and what was the "fast one" originally? Or maybe this does not apply.

The Dictionary of American Slang cites a use in print in 1944 but doesn't explain the origin. I'm guessing that the phrase may have originated with deception by sleight of hand, in which a victim is fooled by some movement too fast to see.

• Origin "pulling a Fast One" J. Boehmke 05/30/03