General
blind tiger
What does blind tiger mean?
Synonymous with 'blind pig', a low, unlicensed drinking den.
"Every blind tiger in the county got raided that month."
Origin
American slang predating Prohibition, attested in the late 19th century and flourishing in the 1920s. The name reportedly came from the ruse of charging to see a 'blind tiger' or other curiosity and giving away the liquor; the exact origin story is folk-etymological and not firmly documented.
Frequently asked questions
What does blind tiger mean?
It is old slang for an illegal bar or speakeasy, especially one using a trick to sell liquor without breaking the letter of the law.
Where did the term blind tiger come from?
The common story is that bars charged to 'see a blind tiger' and gave the drink free, dodging liquor laws. That origin is widely repeated but not firmly documented, so treat it as folk etymology.
Is a blind tiger the same as a blind pig?
Essentially yes, both meant unlicensed Prohibition drinking spots; 'blind pig' was the more common northern variant.
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