Origin of 24/7

Posted by Barney on April 07, 2001

In Reply to: Origin of 24/7 posted by NeilB on April 07, 2001

: : : : : I have an idea that "24/7" (twenty-four seven), meaning "constantly" and now often heard in the United States, originated among African-American speakers. Can anyone confirm or disconfirm this?

: : : : I couldn't find it in any of my references.

: : : I've heard it in Brooklyn as 24/7 and twice on Sunday.
: : : (24 hours a day / 7 days a week--and twice on sunday)-----Go figure?

: : Here's something that originated amongst the Afro-Ameri's in the streets of Harlem. You may hear someone scream "5" "0"--- this means the police are nearby. This comes from the old 1960's cop show "Hawaii 5-0." Incidentally the "50" in Hawaii 5-0 stood for Hawaii being the 50th state of United States.

: OK, so if a 24/7 shop is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a weeks why do the doors have locks on them?

Talking of door locks (dubious link) are you aware that there is no external keyholes to any of the locks on the external doors of the Bank of England.

  • Bank mystery R. Berg 04/08/01
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