Elena Rossi
Painting the town red is a phrase that alludes to boisterous or violent behaviour and celebration. Its origin has several suggested sources, one of which dates back to 1837 when the Marquis of Waterford and his friends allegedly caused havoc in Melton Mowbray, England, painting buildings red. However, there are other theories, including a reference to drinking alcohol and how people's faces redden when drunk, or a threat made by intoxicated cowboys in the Wild West. The phrase first appeared in print in 1883 in a New York newspaper, and its exact origin remains unclear.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, England |
| Date | April 6, 1837 |
| People Involved | Henry de la Poer Beresford, the 3rd Marquis of Waterford and his friends |
| Events | The Marquis and his friends, after drinking heavily, painted a town red by using brushes and pots of red paint to vandalize properties and public spaces. |
| First Recorded Use in Print | 1882-1883 |
| First Recorded Location in Print | Stanford, Kentucky, US |
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What You'll Learn
The Marquis of Waterford's drunken night
The Marquis of Waterford was known for his lavish lifestyle and extravagant parties. On this particular night, he decided to "paint the town red," a phrase that originates from a historic night of drunken debauchery and refers to a night of heavy drinking and carousing, often with wild and reckless behavior.
The Marquis started his evening at a local tavern, downing pint after pint of the strongest ale with his rowdy friends. As the drinks took effect, their voices grew louder, and their behavior more boisterous. They spilled out into the streets, continuing their revelry and causing quite a scene. The Marquis, never one to shy away from attention, led the group in a raucous sing-along, their voices echoing through the narrow lanes.
As they weaved their way through the town, the Marquis' friends egged him on, daring him to more outrageous acts. He obliged, climbing atop a statue in the town square and giving a rousing, if slurred, speech to the growing crowd. The night continued in this vein, with the Marquis leading the town in a pseudo-revolution of drunken merriment. They danced on tables, smashed glasses, and left a trail of chaos in their wake.
The Marquis' drunken night ended in a blur of red—the red of spilled wine, the crimson of a cut from a broken glass, and the scarlet of a rising dawn. As the sun rose, the Marquis found himself in a disheveled state, with only hazy memories of the previous night's adventures. He had indeed painted the town red, leaving an indelible mark on the quiet town and in the memories of all who witnessed his wild night.
This night would go down in local legend, with tales of the Marquis' antics growing wilder with each retelling. The phrase "painting the town red" would forever be associated with the Marquis of Waterford, a reminder of that wild and drunken night.
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The phrase's first print appearance
The phrase "paint the town red" was first printed in the United States in 1883, almost fifty years after the events in Melton Mowbray, England, that are often associated with its origins.
The New York Times newspaper from July 1883 includes the text:
> "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 relate to America rather than England. For example, the expression appeared in a Stanford, Kentucky newspaper in 1882, and in other newspapers in the state as early as 1880.
Given the lengthy time gap between the events of 1837 and the first printed use of the phrase, it seems unlikely that the two are directly connected.
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The US slang origin theory
One theory suggests that the phrase "paint the town red" originated in the United States as a slang term. While there is no conclusive evidence, there are several plausible explanations.
The earliest known use of the phrase in print is in an 1883 New York Times article, which mentions, "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'." This suggests that the phrase was already in use at the time and was associated with drunken revelry and causing a ruckus.
Other early references to the phrase also point to its American origins. For example, the Semi-weekly Interior Journal, a newspaper from Stanford, Kentucky, used the phrase in 1882, stating, "He gets on a high old drunk with a doubtful old man, and they paint the town red together." Additionally, there are reports of the phrase appearing in other newspapers in the state as early as 1880.
The theory suggests that the phrase may have originated from American slang, where the word "paint" was used to mean "drink." When someone is drunk, their face and nose flush red, creating an analogy with the color red. This theory is supported by the fact that there are multiple US citations of the phrase in print from around 1883, with no earlier records found.
While the events of the Marquis of Waterford's riotous night in 1837 are well-documented and often associated with the phrase, the first usage of the phrase in print appeared much later. This delay weakens the connection between the two, suggesting that the phrase may have originated independently in the United States.
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The Melton Mowbray claim
On April 6, 1837, the Marquis of Waterford and his aristocratic friends, including several magistrates, an MP, and a baronet, were returning from the Croxton Park races. They were refused entry at the toll house in Melton Mowbray due to their drunken state. The revellers then rode around the town and entered by a different route, eventually ending up at Lord Rokesby's Club. In the early hours of the morning, they returned to the toll house, boarded up the windows and doors, and proceeded to vandalise the town with red paint. They also stole door knockers, smashed flower pots, threw the sign of the Red Lion Inn into the canal, and attempted to overturn a caravan with sleeping occupants.
The incident caused quite a stir, and the Marquis of Waterford and his friends were eventually brought to court, where they were each fined £100 for their antics. The town of Melton Mowbray has since embraced its connection to the phrase, with the Melton Carnegie Museum offering tours and exhibits that explore the story behind 'painting the town red'. The town has also capitalised on the phrase with a red ale called Notorious Hooligan, likely inspired by the Marquis and his friends.
However, while the incident in Melton Mowbray may have inspired the phrase, the first recorded use of 'painting the town red' in print was much later, in 1883 in New York. There are also other places that claim to be the source of the phrase, such as Stony Stratford, Buckinghamshire, and Ashbourne, Derbyshire. Despite this, Melton Mowbray remains a strong contender due to the colourful and chaotic events of that night in 1837, which certainly fit the connotation of wildness and revelry associated with the phrase.
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The phrase's connotation and usage
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, Leicestershire. However, the phrase's first recorded use in print was not until several decades later, in American newspapers in the 1880s. This delay between the incident and the recorded use of the phrase casts doubt on the assumption that it originated from the Marquis of Waterford's antics.
The phrase "paint the town red" has connotations of wildness, revelry, and unrestrained behaviour. It suggests transforming a place by adding a bold and vibrant colour, implying a departure from the ordinary and a shift towards excitement and adventure. The use of the word "paint" could be linked to the slang use of the term to mean "drink," as one's face and nose flush red when drunk, creating a visual analogy.
The phrase is often used to describe having a good time, especially in a social context, such as going out for the evening or partying. It implies a level of excitement, fun, and possibly mischief, suggesting that one intends to make a memorable impact on the town or city they are visiting. The phrase adds a sense of colour and energy to the idea of enjoying oneself, indicating a break from the mundane and a desire to create lasting memories.
While the phrase has evolved to take on a more lighthearted and playful connotation, it is important to acknowledge its roots in drunken vandalism and rioting. This contrast between the phrase's modern usage and its historical origins highlights the evolution of language and the shifting nuances of idiomatic expressions over time.
In conclusion, "paint the town red" invites individuals to embrace a spirited and adventurous mindset, encouraging them to seek memorable experiences and add a dash of colour to their lives, all while being mindful of respecting boundaries and causing no harm.
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Frequently asked questions
To 'paint the town red' means to have a wild time out.
The phrase is said to have originated from an incident involving the Marquis of Waterford in 1837. After a day at the Croxton races, the Marquis and his friends went on a drunken rampage, vandalising the town of Melton Mowbray with red paint.
Yes, some sources suggest that the phrase may have originated from American slang, where the word "paint" was used to mean "drink". When someone is drunk, their face and nose flush red, creating an analogy with the colour red. The first recorded use of the phrase in print was in an 1883 New York Times article.
It took several decades for the phrase to enter common parlance. The earliest recorded use of the phrase in print was in 1882, almost fifty years after the Marquis's drunken night in Melton Mowbray.
