Leo Martínez
Painting the town red is an expression that means to have a boisterous or violent good time. There are several theories about the origin of this phrase, with one popular tale dating back to 1837 when the Marquis of Waterford and his friends allegedly caused havoc in Melton Mowbray, England, painting buildings red. The phrase was first printed in 1882 in a newspaper in Stanford, Kentucky, and later in 1883 in New York. Despite the overlaps with the Marquis of Waterford's drunken night, it is possible that the phrase's origin is unrelated to this event. Other theories suggest the phrase may have originated from Dante's epic poem The Inferno, red faces from alcohol, or the Wild West, where intoxicated cowboys threatened to paint the town red with blood.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 6 April 1837 |
| Location | Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, England |
| People Involved | Henry de la Poer Beresford, the 3rd Marquis of Waterford and his aristocratic companions |
| Activities | Hunting, gambling, heavy drinking, rioting, vandalism, painting buildings and objects red |
| Consequences | Fined £100 each for their night of debauchery and vandalism |
| Origin of Phrase | The phrase may have originated from this event, but the first printed record was in an American newspaper in 1882 or 1883 |
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What You'll Learn
The Marquis of Waterford's drunken night out
On April 6, 1837, Henry de la Poer Beresford, the 3rd Marquis of Waterford, embarked on a drunken night out that would go down in history. The Marquis, known for his unruly behaviour and hooliganism, had spent the day hunting and gambling at the Croxton Park races in Leicestershire. As the sun set, he and his aristocratic companions made their way to the nearby town of Melton Mowbray in search of food and more drinks.
By the time they reached the outskirts of the town, the Marquis and his friends were heavily intoxicated. They arrived at the Thorpe End Tollgate at around 2 a.m., where they were refused entry due to their drunkenness. Instead of paying the toll, the Marquis and his cronies grabbed brushes and pots of nearby red paint and attacked the tollkeeper. They painted him from head to toe, nailed up the door, and marched into town carrying their stolen equipment.
The mob proceeded to wreak havoc, knocking over flower pots, pulling on door knockers, and painting doors as they passed. They vandalized the Leicestershire Banking Company and Post Office and attempted to overturn a caravan where a man was sleeping. The Marquis, hoisted on a friend's shoulders, even painted the carved swan inn sign at the Old Swan Inn. They pulled down the sign at the Red Lion and threw it into the canal, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
The night of rioting and vandalism did not go unpunished. The revellers were eventually fined £100 each for their unruly behaviour, which was well-documented in contemporary accounts and local court records. The Marquis of Waterford's drunken night out became infamous, and while it may have provided inspiration for the phrase "painting the town red", the exact origin of this expression remains uncertain.
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The phrase's first printed use
The phrase "paint the town red" is believed to have originated from an incident in 1837 involving the Marquis of Waterford and his friends, who went on a drunken rampage in Melton Mowbray, England, painting buildings and objects red. However, the first printed use of the phrase was not recorded until almost fifty years later in 1883, in an article from the New York Times:
> "Mr. James Hennessy offered a resolution that the entire body proceed forthwith to Newark and get drunk… Then the Democrats charged upon the street cars, and being wafted into Newark proceeded, to use their own metaphor, to ‘paint the town red’."
Other early references to the phrase also originated from the United States, with the OED citing an example from the Chicago Advance in 1897:
> "The boys painted the town [New York City] red with firecrackers [on Independence Day]."
Despite the well-documented drunken antics of the Marquis of Waterford, the phrase does not appear in any printed records from the time of the incident. The lack of contemporary evidence suggests that the Melton Mowbray story may not be the definitive source of the phrase. Instead, other theories propose possible links to the red-light district, excessive drinking, flushed faces from alcohol, or even 19th-century steamboat racing, where winners would paint the sky red with bonfires.
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The red-light district
The phrase "paint the town red" alludes to rowdy behaviour that results in bloodshed. While its origin is uncertain, one popular story dates back to 1837 when the Marquis of Waterford and his friends went on a drunken rampage in Melton Mowbray, England, painting buildings red. The Marquis was known for his hooliganism, and this particular incident was well-documented. However, the phrase itself was not printed until 1883, in an article from New York.
Now, one of the theories about the origin of the phrase links it to the red-light district. So, what is a red-light district?
A red-light district, also known as a pleasure district, is an area within an urban setting that is characterised by a high concentration of prostitution and sex-oriented businesses. These can include sex shops, strip clubs, and adult theatres. While female street prostitution is the most common association, some cities also have areas that cater to male prostitution and gay venues.
Red-light districts have existed for centuries, with Amsterdam's Red Light District, or "De Wallen" as it is known locally, being the oldest and most famous. It is said that prostitution in this area dates back to the 14th century when sailors would frequent the taverns and inns in search of beer and women. Today, Amsterdam's Red Light District is a popular tourist attraction, known for its friendly atmosphere and liberal attitude towards prostitution, soft drugs, and pornography. The district is also home to a variety of sex-oriented businesses, including strip clubs, sex theatres, peep shows, and sex shops.
In some cases, red-light districts are officially designated by authorities to regulate prostitution and related activities, confining them to a single area. For example, during World War I, brothels displayed blue lamps for officers and red lamps for other ranks.
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Drinking alcohol
The phrase "painting the town red" is often associated with drinking alcohol and having a good time. It evokes a sense of uninhibited fun, wild revelry, and carefree joy. The phrase is believed to have originated from an incident in 1837 involving the Marquis of Waterford, Henry de la Poer Beresford, and his rowdy friends. After a day of drinking and gambling at the Croxton Park races in Leicestershire, the group headed to Melton Mowbray, where they caused havoc and literally painted parts of the town red. This incident, although debated as the true origin, has become synonymous with drinking and partying.
The phrase "painting the town red" implies indulging in excessive drinking, dancing, and other forms of revelry. It often describes a night of boisterous celebration, where individuals let loose and engage in unrestrained fun. The act of "painting the town red" is not limited to just drinking alcohol but also encompasses the broader context of nightlife and social gatherings. It represents transforming an ordinary town into a vibrant and colourful canvas, much like a painter with their palette.
In popular culture, especially in music, "painting the town red" has been a recurring theme. Country songs, punk, and rock music have embraced the spirit of the phrase, incorporating it into their lyrics to convey themes of rebellion, excess, and wild celebration. The phrase provides a powerful lyrical device, instantly evoking images of unconstrained revelry and excitement.
While the act of "painting the town red" often carries a positive connotation of fun and excitement, it is important to approach alcohol with moderation and responsibility. Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to negative consequences, including impaired judgment, health risks, and social issues. Therefore, while embracing the spirit of "painting the town red," individuals must also prioritize their well-being and make informed choices regarding alcohol consumption.
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Bloodshed
The phrase "painting the town red" is often used to describe a boisterous or violent celebration, but its origin is a bit more sinister and involves actual bloodshed.
One popular tale dates back to April 6, 1837, when Henry de la Poer Beresford, the 3rd Marquis of Waterford, and a group of his aristocratic friends went on a drunken rampage in Melton Mowbray, England. After a day of hunting and gambling at the Croxton Park races in Leicestershire, the group headed to Melton Mowbray, where they caused havoc and mayhem. They were refused entry at a tollgate on the outskirts of the town due to their drunkenness. In a fit of rage, they grabbed brushes and pots of nearby red paint and attacked the tollkeeper, painting him red. They then marched into town, knocking over flower pots, pulling on door knockers, and painting doors as they passed. They vandalized the Leicestershire Banking Company and Post Office and attempted to overturn a caravan where a man was sleeping. The Marquis, known for his hooliganism, was hoisted on a friend's shoulders to paint an inn sign red. The night of rioting and vandalism resulted in bloodshed, with the group causing harm and violence to anyone who stood in their way.
While the Melton Mowbray incident is a compelling origin story for the phrase, it is not without its doubts. The phrase "painting the town red" was not printed or used in reference to the Marquis of Waterford until fifty years later, in 1882-1883, in the United States. The first recorded use of the phrase was in a New York Times article from July 1883, where Democrats were described as proceeding "to 'paint the town red'". Other early references to the phrase also originated in America, with similar threats made by intoxicated cowboys in the Wild West, firing their guns into the air and threatening to "paint the town red" with blood.
The delay in the use of the phrase and its American origins have led some to question the Melton Mowbray incident as the true source of the expression. However, it is important to note that the events of that night in 1837 were well-documented and contemporary accounts and local court records exist, detailing the unruly behavior of the Marquis and his companions. The Marquis himself was known for his unruly behavior and had a reputation as a reprobate who frequently found himself in police courts.
While the exact origin of the phrase "painting the town red" remains unclear, it is clear that it alludes to violent and unruly behavior that often results in bloodshed. The Melton Mowbray incident, despite its delays in providing conclusive evidence, remains a compelling candidate for the origin of this expression.
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Frequently asked questions
To party or celebrate in a rowdy, wild manner, especially in a public place.
The phrase originated in the US, with the earliest known use in 1882 in Stanford, Kentucky. However, there are various theories about its specific origin, including a reference to drinking alcohol and how people's faces redden when drunk, or a derivation from Dante's epic poem, "The Inferno".
While there is a popular tale that the phrase comes from an incident involving the Marquis of Waterford in Melton Mowbray, England, in 1837, this lacks credibility as the phrase was not used in reference to him until 50 years later.
After a day of drinking and gambling, the Marquis of Waterford and his friends arrived at a tollgate in Thorpe End, where they were refused entry due to their drunkenness. They proceeded to paint the tollkeeper red, caused havoc in the town, and vandalized various establishments.
Yes, other theories suggest that the phrase may be related to the red light district, the colour red in bonfires, or town demarcation lines in the Wild West.
