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To get the shaft

Posted by Brian from Shawnee on March 09, 2006

In Reply to: To get the shaft Posted by Jamie Jobb on March 09, 2006

: I'm looking into the origins of the term "to get the shaft", which I understand has something to do with the cemetery near the French Quarter. I'd like to hear from anyone who knows New Orleans lore and can verify the origins of this phrase. Thanks.

From the Online Etymological Dictionary:

"...Vulgar slang meaning 'penis' first recorded 1719. Verb meaning 'treat cruelly and unfairly' is 1950s, with overtones of sodomy. "

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