An old joke: a “Joe Miller.”
1886. Minnie P. will give £1,000 to any one who will submit to her an idea for legitimate advertising…. Chestnut ideas not wanted.—Dramatic Review, March 27, 86/2. (N.E.D., which gives examples 1887–8.)
*** Mr. Halkett Lord (Notes and Queries, 7 S. vii. 52) heard the word used in Brown’s theatrical chop-house, New York, in 1882. The attempt on the same page to connect it with the Fr. marron is purely conjectural.
