I bet "record of arrests and prosecutions" is a false etymology for "rap sheet."... | Hacker News

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		zerocrates on April 18, 2023 \| parent \| context \| favorite \| on: Brit cops rapped over app that recorded 200k phone... I bet "record of arrests and prosecutions" is a false etymology for "rap sheet." OED attests "rap" in this sense of punishment back to the 1860s at least, and "face the rap," "beat the rap," etc., to the early 1900s. "Rap sheet," the 50s.

karaterobot on April 18, 2023 [–]

I mean it might be. It does feel a bit like "port out, starboard home" or "gentlemen only, ladies forbidden". Wikipedia uses it, but without citation.

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