under the counter
under the counter (idiom)
/ˌʌndər ðə ˈkaʊnɚ/
Meaning
- It refers to anything sold or done illicitly, secretly, or unofficially.
- Sold or bought secretly, usually illegally or without proper authorization.
- Done surreptitiously or off the books to evade rules, taxes, or oversight.
- (Attrib./adj., hyphenated under-the-counter) Describing goods, payments, or dealings that are clandestine and often illicit.
Synonyms: illegally; illicitly; covertly; secretly; clandestinely; unauthorized; unlawful; bootleg.
Example Sentences
- The pharmacist was caught selling painkillers under the counter.
- The contractor paid some workers under the counter to avoid payroll taxes.
- They ran an under-the-counter scheme to move cash out of the company.
Origin and History
One prominent theory links the phrase directly to the physical layout of shops and businesses. In many traditional retail environments, transactions take place at a counter. This counter serves as a barrier between the shopkeeper and the customer, a surface for displaying goods, and a place where money changes hands.
The idea here is simple: “under the counter” literally refers to items kept out of sight, below the visible selling surface. These could be items that were not meant for general display, perhaps because they were scarce, of questionable legality, or simply reserved for special customers. The act of reaching under the counter to retrieve something would signify that it was not part of the openly available merchandise. This physical act of concealment would naturally give rise to the metaphorical meaning of secrecy and illicit dealing.
The Prohibition Era: A Time of Secret Sales
Another strong theory points to periods of prohibition or rationing, where certain goods were illegal or hard to come by. During such times, people would resort to selling forbidden items discreetly. For example, during alcohol prohibition, liquor was often sold in hidden ways, including from “under the counter” in seemingly legitimate establishments. This practice would embed the phrase deeply in the public consciousness as a symbol of illegal trade.
Similarly, during wartime rationing, scarce goods might have been held back by shopkeepers and sold selectively, or for a higher price, to favored customers, again, from “under the counter.” This historical context provides a strong foundation for the phrase’s association with secrecy and circumventing official rules.
The Influence of “Over the Counter”: A Semantic Contrast
The existence of the phrase “over the counter” might also have played a role in shaping “under the counter.” “Over the counter” generally refers to goods that are openly available and legally sold without a prescription, like many common medicines. This creates a natural contrast. If something is “over the counter” and above board, then its opposite, something illicit or hidden, would logically be “under the counter.” This linguistic pairing highlights the legal versus illegal nature of transactions.
An Imagined Origin: The Whispers of the Black Market
Beyond historical records, one can imagine the phrase evolving organically in the language of black markets and underground economies. In any society where certain goods or services are forbidden, discrete language develops to describe these hidden transactions. “Under the counter” could have been a convenient and widely understood shorthand among those involved in such dealings, capturing the essence of secrecy and unofficial distribution. The imagery is vivid: a quick, hushed exchange, an item passed discreetly below the line of sight, away from prying eyes.
Country of Origin
The phrase “under the counter” appears to have originated in the United States. Its first recorded use in reference to illegal or clandestine transactions. This places its emergence squarely within the period of Prohibition in the United States, which aligns strongly with the theory of its origin in illicit alcohol sales.
Earliest Printed Record
The phrase “under the counter” began to appear in various writings and literary works around the 1920s, reflecting its growing presence in everyday language. This period marked a time when the term, initially likely used in casual speech, found its way into more formal documentation, solidifying its place in the lexicon.
Variants
- under-the-counter (adj.)
- under the table
- off the books
- on the side.
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