Talk:scofflaw

Etymology

According to H. L. Mencken, admittedly a notorious yarn spinner, in a column that appeared in the Baltimore Sun for November 7, 1924*, a prize of $250 offered by ardent prohibition supporter Delcevare King of Quincy, MA was divided between Shaw and Butler for both suggesting the term to designate a law-breaking drinker and "sufficiently pungent to 'stab awake his conscience.' " Dick Kimball 19:09, 27 April 2010 (UTC)

* reprinted in Rodgers, Mary Elizaberh, Ed.; The Impossible Mencken; New York; Doubleday; 1991; page 481