ZingW

What is the origin of the expression 'to paint the town red'?

David Sharp, Paris, France

• According to Oscar Wilde, it's Dante, The Inferno: "we are they who painted the world scarlet with sins."

  Garrick Alder, London

• The four dictionaries I have looked at agree that this originates from US slang. The earliest recorded use is 1884, and the OED quotes the Chicago Advance (1897): `The boys painted the town [New York City] red with firecrackers [on Independence Day].'

  BC Rowe, London NW1

• The four dictionaries I have looked at agree that this originates from US slang. The earliest recorded use is 1884, and the OED quotes the Chicago Advance (1897): `The boys painted the town [New York City] red with firecrackers [on Independence Day].'

  BC Rowe, London NW1

• The origin of "painting the town red" comes from the drunken activities of huntmens in Melton Mowbray. If my memory serves me right after the traditional Belvoir fox hunt the drinking and celebrations ended with a few of the huntmens taking red paint to the houses surrounding the town square. I believe that all the buildings were completeley covered in red paint before anyone stepped in to stop them. As to what happened to the men, or indeed the exact date, I'm not sure. However, a quick visit to the website of Melton Mowbrays other great export; www.porkpie.com, might reveal more...

  Mark, Melton Mowbray UK