People are only just realising where the phrase ‘painting the town red’ came from and it’s blowing their minds
HAVE you ever been getting ready for a big night out with your friends and someone says you are going to “paint the town red?”
If you’ve ever wondered where this phrase came from, it is said to have dated back to a bender that took place in 1837.
According to History.com, the saying “most likely owes its origin to one legendary night of drunkenness.”
The reveller in question is said to be the Marquis of Waterford, who was known to be a “mischief maker.”
He is said to have taken his mates on a night of drinking in the English town of Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire.
The night is said to have gotten a bit out of hand after the group toppled over flowerpots, removed door knockers and broke some windows.
They also painted a tollgate, several home doors and a swan statue in red paint – hence where the phrase came from.
Although they had a bit of a wild night, they were said to have made amends.
The website claims: “The marquis and his pranksters later compensated Melton for the damages, but their drunken escapade is likely the reason that ‘paint the town red’ became shorthand for a wild night out.
“Still yet another theory suggests the phrase was actually born out of the brothels of the American West, and referred to men behaving as though their whole town were a red-light district.”
So there you have it, next time you are preparing for a night out you can also impress the group with a fun fact.