Author Topic: Sweepstakes? (Read 1692 times)

Ela · « **on:** December 03, 2008, 11:51:13 AM »

My daughter and I were wondering what the origin of that word is.

Why sweep? And what kind of stake?

Jonathon · « **Reply #1 on:** December 03, 2008, 01:13:58 PM »

It apparently has a pretty prosaic origin—according to Etymonline.com, it goes back to Middle English and means "one who sweeps or wins all the stakes in a game".

Ela · « **Reply #2 on:** December 03, 2008, 02:59:41 PM »

Thanks. That's a handy site to know about.

Googling "sweepstakes" just got me to sites offering sweepstakes.

goofy · « **Reply #3 on:** December 03, 2008, 04:20:59 PM »

Quote

Thanks. That's a handy site to know about.

gaol

Ela · « **Reply #4 on:** December 03, 2008, 04:23:20 PM »

Jonathon · « **Reply #5 on:** December 03, 2008, 04:52:03 PM »

Ha! That's great.

rivka · « **Reply #6 on:** December 03, 2008, 06:16:43 PM »