legit English · revision 10543

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=clipping|attested=1897|origins=en legitimate}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ləˈdʒɪt/, /lɪˈdʒɪt/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is a colloquial shortening of [[legitimate]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ In the theatre, legitimate drama, plays of literary merit as opposed to variety: 1897 in Etymonline;^(Etymonline) Green's first clear quotation of the noun is from 1900.^(GDoS)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The general adjective, legitimate or genuine, is first quoted by Green in 1905 in American English,^(GDoS) 1908 in Merriam-Webster,^(MWU 2024) and the adverb, legitimately (''to work legit''), from 1934.^(GDoS)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1897 – legitimate drama.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1905 – legitimate, genuine.^(GDoS)

+ * 1934 – legitimately (adverb).^(GDoS)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Adjective===

+ # ''(informal)'' [[legitimate|alt=Legitimate]]; legal, honest or genuine.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)^(LDOCE 2009)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(informal)'' Legitimate or professionally respectable drama.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[legitimate]]

+ * [[legal]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}