Where Does the Term Grafter Come from?

Grafter came into use earlier, dating to the middle of the 19th century, initially with the primary meaning of “thief.” A thief is not only a “cross” man, but also a “grafter.”

Where does the word grafter come from?

Around 1865, the OED says, “graft” in the US was “The obtaining of profit or advantage by dishonest or shady means,” especially “bribery, blackmail, or the abuse of a position of power or influence.” The OED speculates that that meaning came from the idea of “graft” as hard work, or with the original botanical “graft,” ...

What does the British term grafting mean?

Graft as an official definition is the act of putting in, like grafting a plant shoot, originating in the late 15th century. ... If you're grafting, you're working hard to get the romantic attention of your crush – putting in the work to lay the foundations of love.

James H. Sterling

James H. Sterling

Environmental Science & Climate Journalist

James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.