Theme music by Joshua Stamper ©2006 New Jerusalem Music/ASCAP
1863
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'grubstake.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Grubstake is a linguistic nugget that was dug up during the famous California Gold Rush, which began in 1848. Sometime between the first stampede and the early 1860s, when the gold-seekers headed off to Montana, prospectors combined grub ("food") and stake, meaning "an interest or share in an undertaking." At first grubstake was a noun, referring to any kind of loan or provisions that could be finagled to make an undertaking possible (with the agreement that the "grubstaker" would get a cut of any profits). By 1879, grubstake was also showing up as a verb meaning "to give someone a grubstake," and, since at least 1937, it has been applied to other situations in which a generous benefactor comes through with the funds.
1879
What made you want to look up grubstake? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
The Exceptions Quiz III
Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!
TAKE THE QUIZTest Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.
TAKE THE QUIZ
