I wrote Asa an email, saying that my computer was "on the fritz," and we both wondered where that phrase "on the fritz" had come from. I found this thread about it, but most of the reference to the phrase was Jerry's link to the Maven's Word of the Day site. That site says that it was first recorded in 1902, with an "unknown origin." Any ideas?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kalleh, August 18, 2006 18:28

The Online Etymology Dictionary suggests it may be of theatrical origin.

[...perhaps fr the notion that defective eyes or lights blink]--H-C Dict of Am. Slang

Too bad the etymology dictionary didn't say what that theatrical reference was.

I'd guess they don't know, either. Probably they observed it first appearing being used by theatrical persons, but can't find the point of origin. That would be why they use the word "may".

I know lots of people like that etymology site, but sometimes I wonder. Often the citations come straight, almost word for word, from the OED. Other times, like this one, I question the veracity. They could have at least explained the "may."

I think it's an onomatopoetic word that describes the sound of electrical sparking and arcing. The 1902 origin would put it at the start of electrification, and the theatre (with its need for bright lighting) would have been an early electrical customer.

Interesting concept, neveu. You are right that it is onomatopoetic.

The first theatre to have electric light was The Savoy Theatre, in London. The Institute of Electrical Engineers has its headquarters at the bottom of Savoy Hill - also the first home of the BBC.

I agree, neveu. Your theory makes a lot of sense. The arc lamps used in the theatres would definitely have tended to fizz and splutter and malfunction on occasion.

I'm nor sure that The Savoy use arc lights - I believe it was the first public building to use incandescent lights (although Cragside was the first building of any kind).

Of course, for many years theatres had used limelights, where lime was heated by gas to incandescence - I would think that process was pretty noisy.

That's right, Richard. Arc lamps began to replace limelight in the 1870s; they were themselves replaced by filament lamps around the turn of the century, apart from some applications such as cinema projection.