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Earliest usages of the literal and figurative sense of “window dressing”

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The expression window-dressing, the skill of arranging objects attractively in a shop window is often used figuratively to refer to an act or an instance of making something appear deceptively attractive or favorable.

An early literal usage is given by Wiktionary:

1897, S. R. Crockett, The Surprising Adventures of Sir Toady Lion with Those of General Napoleon Smith, New York: Frederick A. Stokes, Chapter 33, p. 252.

• The linen-draper at the corner under the town clock was divided between keeping an eye on his apprentices to see that they did not spar with yard sticks, and mentally criticising the ludicrous and meretricious window-dressing of his next-door neighbor.

But according to Etymonline its earliest literal usage dates back much earlier to the late 18th century, while its figurative usage dates about a century later.

Window dressing is first recorded 1790; figurative sense is from 1898,

while Google Books suggests that its usage is from the late 19th century, and earlier usages appear to be quite rare.

Is there more clear evidence about the earliest usages of the expression “window dressing” both literally and metaphorically?

etymology phrase-origin

share|improve this question

asked 3 hours ago

user240918user240918

26.8k1075155

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Please define the figurative sense you mean. I'm familiar with it messing to make the accounts look good by rushing to ship things in a particular period, but I have vague recollections of other uses so can't be sure this is what you mean
  
  – Chris H
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  @ChrisH - I am not referring to any specific one, though it is commonly used in finance for instance.
  
  – user240918
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

0

The expression window-dressing, the skill of arranging objects attractively in a shop window is often used figuratively to refer to an act or an instance of making something appear deceptively attractive or favorable.

An early literal usage is given by Wiktionary:

1897, S. R. Crockett, The Surprising Adventures of Sir Toady Lion with Those of General Napoleon Smith, New York: Frederick A. Stokes, Chapter 33, p. 252.

• The linen-draper at the corner under the town clock was divided between keeping an eye on his apprentices to see that they did not spar with yard sticks, and mentally criticising the ludicrous and meretricious window-dressing of his next-door neighbor.

But according to Etymonline its earliest literal usage dates back much earlier to the late 18th century, while its figurative usage dates about a century later.

Window dressing is first recorded 1790; figurative sense is from 1898,

while Google Books suggests that its usage is from the late 19th century, and earlier usages appear to be quite rare.

Is there more clear evidence about the earliest usages of the expression “window dressing” both literally and metaphorically?

etymology phrase-origin

share|improve this question

asked 3 hours ago

user240918user240918

26.8k1075155

• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  Please define the figurative sense you mean. I'm familiar with it messing to make the accounts look good by rushing to ship things in a particular period, but I have vague recollections of other uses so can't be sure this is what you mean
  
  – Chris H
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  


• 
  
  
  

  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  @ChrisH - I am not referring to any specific one, though it is commonly used in finance for instance.
  
  – user240918
  3 hours ago
  

  
  
  
  

add a comment | 

The expression window-dressing, the skill of arranging objects attractively in a shop window is often used figuratively to refer to an act or an instance of making something appear deceptively attractive or favorable.

An early literal usage is given by Wiktionary:

1897, S. R. Crockett, The Surprising Adventures of Sir Toady Lion with Those of General Napoleon Smith, New York: Frederick A. Stokes, Chapter 33, p. 252.

• The linen-draper at the corner under the town clock was divided between keeping an eye on his apprentices to see that they did not spar with yard sticks, and mentally criticising the ludicrous and meretricious window-dressing of his next-door neighbor.

But according to Etymonline its earliest literal usage dates back much earlier to the late 18th century, while its figurative usage dates about a century later.

Window dressing is first recorded 1790; figurative sense is from 1898,

while Google Books suggests that its usage is from the late 19th century, and earlier usages appear to be quite rare.

Is there more clear evidence about the earliest usages of the expression “window dressing” both literally and metaphorically?

etymology phrase-origin

share|improve this question

asked 3 hours ago

user240918user240918

26.8k1075155

share|improve this question

asked 3 hours ago

user240918user240918

26.8k1075155

share|improve this question

asked 3 hours ago

user240918user240918

26.8k1075155

asked 3 hours ago

user240918user240918

26.8k1075155

asked 3 hours ago

user240918user240918

26.8k1075155