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The Real McCoy

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wyrfoa | 12:08 Thu 19th Sep 2002 | History
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Where did the term the 'Real McCoy' originate from?
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Another candidate which often seems to be missing in such articles is a chap called Elijah McCoy, a black mechanic who developed a method of lubricating steam engines without them being brought into the workshop - his version worked as they travelled. This was in 1872. Sadly it seems racism is responsible for this ingenious chap being written out of history. More here: http://www.goodolddaysonline.com/pages/stories/rea
l_mccoy.html
The answer that's known throughout the spirit industry is that this was the name of a notorious smuggler who was famous throughout prohibition. Based in the Bahamas he sailed a ketch? filled with scotch, gin etc., anchored outside the 3 mile limit and sold the booze on to the gansters. If it was "The Real MacCoy" it was real and not made in the bathtub.

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