Origins of the term Red Light District

[Homericles]

I was watching Pawn Stars today and they had a fun little fact that I thought was kind of interesting. Apparently the term "Red Light District" came about because Railway men would visit the brothels in town and they would hang their kerosene rail lamps, which were coloured red, on the outside of the brothel. Thus the term was born. In addition, since brothels have been existence since before the Ancient Greeks, the hanging of red lights to denoate a location of brothel is not a new system of identifications. Many brothels use to hang silk drapes or velvet rope somewhere on the building to indicate that the business was a brothel. I am not sure if there are ton of history, or Pawn Star, fans out there but I think that is rather interesting

 

[lenny]

Interesting. Probably no relation to the Biblical sex worker Rahab who tied a scarlet
cord in her window:

15 So she let them down by a rope through the window, for the house she lived in was part of the city wall. 16 She said to them, “Go to the hills so the pursuers will not find you. Hide yourselves there three days until they return, and then go on your way.”

17 Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house. 19 If any of them go outside your house into the street, their blood will be on their own heads; we will not be responsible. As for those who are in the house with you, their blood will be on our head if a hand is laid on them. 20 But if you tell what we are doing, we will be released from the oath you made us swear.”

21 “Agreed,” she replied. “Let it be as you say.”

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Joshua+2&version=NIV

 

[Sonny]

Well, if it's a light show you want, surely Tina 7675 does it over the top. Hers is definitely the most coloured light lit-up incall I have ever been to. Everything going on in every room.

Sort of transports you from the hum-drum look of everyday appearance everyplace to a fantasy land where you can disconnect the regular and plug into free-spirited released sex play.

Maybe strikes some as unusual, but I like the unusual and the scene works for me!

 

[normisanas]

I was watching Pawn Stars today and they had a fun little fact that I thought was kind of interesting. Apparently the term "Red Light District" came about because Railway men would visit the brothels in town and they would hang their kerosene rail lamps, which were coloured red, on the outside of the brothel. Thus the term was born. In addition, since brothels have been existence since before the Ancient Greeks, the hanging of red lights to denoate a location of brothel is not a new system of identifications. Many brothels use to hang silk drapes or velvet rope somewhere on the building to indicate that the business was a brothel. I am not sure if there are ton of history, or Pawn Star, fans out there but I think that is rather interesting

I doubt that's how the term was born, it seems like another Eurocentric reinvention to me. What about the red lanterns in Asia that have been there for centuries before the industrial revolution? They signify fertility.

 

[ms.sierra.sky]

very interesting indeed!

 

[billa69]

Speaking of Red Light District, I wanted to share this video. Please watch till the end.....

 

[Tugela]

I wouldn't take "pawn stars" as an accurate source of history ound:

 

[Homericles]

I agree Pawn Stars is probably not the most authoritative source on history but it was still and interesting element of "American" history.

 

[Sharky66]

Speaking of Red Light District, I wanted to share this video. Please watch till the end.....

Thank you. Kinda sobering.