In 1975 , New York housewares memory Zabar’screateda consumer frenzy when it offered a Cuisinart solid food processor for just $ 135 — a $ 55 reduction in its $ 190 retail price . requirement was so mellow that they sell out immediately . To placate those who missed out , the shop began issue pelting checks that entitled the toter to the $ 135 price when the entrepot eventually fill again its strain .
Zabar ’s did n’t coin the idiomrain check , though it for sure made good usage of it . It ’s come to imply a coupon that promise to make good on a product , price , or case that ’s not currently useable . Or , it might indicate that someone is choose to recuse themselves from an engagement . “ I ’ll take a rain halt on that dinner , ” you might say , peculiarly if you do n’t really want to go . So where did the phrase derive from ?
The Origins of the PhraseRain Check
Accordingto the Oxford English Dictionary , rain checkoriginally had a very literal meaning . In the 1880s , baseball team management needed a organization to assure spectators who pay admission for games restrain in open - airstadiums . In the outcome of rain , the playing field would become dirty and untenable . But that was n’t really the geological fault of the attender or the team .
To solve the trouble , management began issuing rain checks , which fundamentally promise ticket holders a do - over . If they make it to a game and it had to be cancel due to conditions , the rain check ensured they would n’t be out any money and could return for another game without extra bearing .
too soon on , the system was n’t wide understand . In the June 3 , 1887 , version of theDetroit Free Press , a columnistdescribedsome mix-up arising from buff being give a paper slip upon entering :
“ When the gate were opened yesterday a humanity was send at each turnstile with fistful of rainfall verification , which they hand to each person who get into . A number of persons , probably supposing they were patent of invention medication ads , refused to take them . The management , hoping but not knowing that the grounds could be make into shape , decided to emerge these rain checks . Immediately on the promulgation of no game a number of persons hie to the ticket office and demanded rainfall check , enounce they had not experience them . ”
The clause went on to describe police having to interpose “ to prevent [ witness ] deplumate the building down . ”
baseball game fan quickly spring up to sympathize the system , with some opting to exploit it . In 1888 , three men were check in Philadelphia after call for rainfall checks and thenattemptingto sell them below the face value of admission price .
From Baseball to Backing Out of Brunch
Usingrain checkto politely bow out of a personal obligation followed in the late 1800s . By the mid-20th one C , however , rain checkwas also being used as a way of offer personal favors . Giving a rain check as a gift meantpromisingto execute a task like knitting a jumper or walking a dog .
It ’s not quite clear whenrain checkmoved from outside effect and personal commitments to retail sales , though the OED go steady its first role in that context to the 1950s . Often , a store wouldpromiseto laurels an advertised price on an out - of - gillyflower item for a finite period of time of time .
As for Zabar ’s : pelting check bearer for the Cuisinart had to wait a year before the store fill again its lineage and lead off reward the voucher for 962 customers . By that detail , the small appliance was selling for $ 225 .
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