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Soup up originated in the U.S. in the late 19th century, though it wasn't widely used until the 20th century. Its exact origins are unknown, but it could be sho
by swamp40 4y ago
Soup up originated in the U.S. in the late 19th century, though it wasn't widely used until the 20th century. Its exact origins are unknown, but it could be short for supercharge, or it might come from a horse-racing slang term for injecting horses with narcotics meant to make them run faster.
Interesting. I never saw it spelled like that before. Looks like no one knows how it should be spelled, so all variations are fine.
- psychphysic 4y agoYour comment entirely stole the show. Forgot why I even opened the comment section.
- skissane 4y ago> I never saw it spelled like that before. Looks like no one knows how it should be spelled, so all variations are fine. Prior to your comment, I was unaware that there was any other way to spell it. I very much get the impression that "soup up" is the more common spelling, and (by some measures at least) the more standard. The online version of Merriam-Webster knows of the "soup up" spelling only. https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soup%20up https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soup%20up
- GloriousKoji 4y agoFascinating how performance enhancing drug slag shifted from "soup" to "juice" and most recently "gear".
- generalizations 4y agoI was once told that the term originated in the south, among track racers, back in the early days of cars. Apparently there was some kind of engine modification that involved the use of a soup can. If you had modded your car for racing, you had literally “souped it up”. Wish I could remember the details; was very young when I was told this.
- 1MachineElf 4y agoThat's really interesting. I knew the phrase was relevant to cars, but not knowing it's commonly accepted spelling, I assumed "supe'd up" meant a supercharger upgrade. Curious to see what this can modification is like.