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- busted (adj.) "broken, ruined," 1837, past-participle adjective from bust (v.).
www.etymonline.com/word/busted
Dec 20, 2023 · The origin of the term ‘busted’ can be traced back to the early 19th century in the United States. It was initially used as a colloquial term to mean the act of breaking or damaging something, especially in legal contexts. Over time, the meaning evolved to encompass being caught or exposed.
Dec 10, 2011 · People began using “busted” to mean bankrupt (first recorded in 1829); demoted or reduced in rank (1918); and placed under arrest or raided (1953). And they used “bust” to mean punch or slug, a usage the Random House Historical Dictionary of American Slang traces back to 1873.
Dec 20, 2023 · In the 20th century, “busted” found its way into African American Vernacular English (AAVE), where it quickly gained popularity. From there, it spread into mainstream culture, cementing its place in the modern slang lexicon.
Green's Slang Dictionary has bust meaning a break in or a raid dating from 1865, but the earliest reference to a police raid is from 1938. Later the word came to mean any arrest or criminal charge. This usage probably derives from burst meaning a burglary, which it dates from 1834.
Dec 20, 2023 · The exact origins of the term ‘busted’ are unclear, as is the case with many slang terms. However, it is believed to have emerged in the early 20th century, primarily within American English. The term likely originated from the colloquial usage of ‘bust,’ which means to break or smash something.
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OED's earliest evidence for busted is from 1836, in the Spirit of the Times: a chronicle of the turf, agriculture, field sports, literature and the stage. busted is formed within English, by derivation.
