origin of the term Rummage Sale history lesson, 1898

Modern day yard sales have their origin in rummage sales that first emerged in port cities around the docks. Derived from a nautical term that dates back to the late 16th century, the word rummage referred to the storage of items such as rum casks in the hold of a ship. After a ship put into port, damaged or unclaimed goods would be hauled out and put up for sale on the docks - hence the term rummage sale.

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