ProbableNamed from the place
Philadelphia lawyer
noun · first attested 18th century
The compliment may date from a Philadelphian who won a New York libel case.
A lawyer of exceptional cleverness, admired or resented for finding a way through.
39.9528°N -75.1636°W · Q1345
Record
- Relationship
- Named from the place
- Confidence
- ProbableThe conventional story is likely, with caveats.
- Attested
- 18th century
- Part of speech
- noun
Explanations here are written for this atlas. Dictionary text is not copied; the sources are linked so the claim can be checked.
- Step 1
Philadelphia
- In English
Philadelphia lawyer
Tradition credits Andrew Hamilton, who traveled to New York in 1735 and won John Peter Zenger's acquittal on seditious libel, a landmark for press freedom. The link to Hamilton is traditional rather than documented, and the phrase now carries a hint of sharp practice.
Also pinned to Philadelphia
2 more from the same place
United States
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