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Cocktail Images How is this connected to one of the globe's most widely used expressions? The link might surprise you. Explore additional cocktail photos.
Tsuneo Yamashita/Getty ImagesExpressions like "Play it by ear," "Gone to pot," and "In like Flynn" are commonly used in English, often without understanding their true meanings or origins. Consider the phrase "The Real McCoy." It's used to describe something authentic or genuine. But who exactly was "the real McCoy"? What is the story behind this saying?
While the name McCoy might remind you of the Hatfield and McCoy feud along the West Virginia-Kentucky border in the 1800s, there's no concrete proof tying the phrase's origin to this historic conflict. Depending on the source, "the real McCoy" could refer to a boxer, an inventor, a rumrunner, or even a Scottish clan leader. Below are some of the possible origins of this intriguing phrase:
- During the late 19th century, Norman Selby, the American welterweight champion, fought under the alias "Kid McCoy." Two tales about Selby offer potential explanations for the phrase. In one account, a drunken man in a bar doubted Selby's identity as the famed boxer. Selby responded with a punch that knocked the man to the ground. Upon rising, the man declared that he was certain he had encountered "the real McCoy." In another version, sportswriters nicknamed Selby due to suspicions of him throwing fights, leaving them unsure whether the genuine fighter or a fraud would appear at boxing events.
- In 1871, Elijah McCoy, a Canadian inventor, developed a lubrication system for steam engine locomotives. His invention's success led to numerous knockoffs, prompting railroad buyers to demand "the real McCoy."
- During Prohibition, Bill McCoy, a Florida rumrunner, gained a reputation for selling high-quality, unadulterated alcohol. Unlike other bootleggers who diluted their products, McCoy's customers knew they could trust his rum, often asking for it by his name.
While these stories are intriguing, the phrase's true origin likely stems from a misspelling of a Scottish surname. Possible candidates include a renowned Scottish actor, a notorious outlaw, or the leader of a Scottish clan, all bearing the name MacKay.
Once the phrase gained popularity, it was swiftly used to market one of Scotland's most iconic products—whiskey. The 1856 Scottish National Dictionary referenced "A drappie (drop) o' the real MacKay," possibly marking its first printed appearance. By 1870, A. & M. Mackay of Glasgow adopted the slogan "the real McKay" to promote their whiskey. When the phrase crossed to the U.S., it evolved into "the real McCoy," likely influenced by notable individuals sharing the name.
