New York City Created "Hookers," Of Course

Hooker in Old Times Square

Ever wonder where the term "hooker" comes from? Of course you have, and you probably figured it had to have roots in New York City, too. According to Ephemeral NY, it all has to do with Corlears Hook, which was named in the 17th century for the Van Corlears family. By the 1830s it became the city’s most notorious red-light district, and the women of Corlears Hook were "the lowest and most debased of their class. They were flashy, untidy, and covered with tinsel and brass jewelry. Their dresses are short, arms and necks bare, and their appearance is as disgusting as can be conceived.” (Guessing this didn't make it into the Gentleman's Directory of 19th Century Brothels.)

This is all from the book Seafaring Women by David Cordingly, who adds that Corlears "is generally credited with giving rise to the term ‘hooker'." Dictionary.com confirms, noting that "one theory traces it to Corlear's Hook, a disreputable section of New York City."

So there you have it, every hooker to ever exist has roots in the bad ol' Big Apple. Which just sort of makes sense.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Carlson in Arts & Entertainment on April 12, 2011 10:32 AM

Comments [rss]

harveyharevi

Nice pic. Got more? (ME LOVE HOOKERS)

David Ballard

I've always heard the theory that it came from the ladies who followed General Hooker's army in the civil war, supplying services to the soldiers. There's even a statue of General Hooker on a horse in front of the State House in Boston, MA.

PicoPhreako69

Right, right - that's what I'd thought too.
Whodathunk?
Ya learn somethin' new errday.

soxinthecity

How could there be a red light district when there were no lights?

Inside the Apple

It actually a red handkerchief district. Women would drop red handkerchiefs on the ground; if a gentleman stooped to pick it up, it was a sign he was interested in her services.

sluggita

love the description of the girls, plenty of men obviously liked it too. interesting.

sluggita

love the description of the girls, plenty of men obviously liked it too. interesting.

Donot Friendme

"the lowest and most debased of their class. They were flashy, untidy, and covered with tinsel and brass jewelry. Their dresses are short, arms and necks bare, and their appearance is as disgusting as can be conceived.” - girls from that shitty show, Jersey Shore

whatidsay

I though they were named after the camp girls that followed General Hooker around during the Civil War.

Awesomer

I thought they were named after your mother. Or at least that's what I'd say, whatidsay, if I weren't above insulting strangers for the sake of a cheap joke.

whatidsay

Gee, is that what passes for humor down in the Valley these days?

Awesomer

'Fraid so. I said it was cheap. Down in Morningside Heights Valley, of course, it goes like this: "Yo mamma's like the Cartesian instantiation of the ontological argument: Kant thoroughly dispatched her four ways."