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Etymology of the word 'roach' to mean the end of a marijuana cigarette?

English Language & Usage Asked by Michael Stern on January 8, 2021

I was contemplating the German word “Rauch” (smoke or fumes) and the closely related “rauchte” (smoked) and “Rauchen” (smoking). These are related to the English word ‘reek’, and I wonder if they might also be related to the use of the word “roach” to refer to the butt of a marijuana cigarette.

Any insights?

One Answer

The origin of roach in the marijuana sense is not clear, but among the different assumptions there is no reference to German words:

Roach is the short for cockroach on the wrong notion that it was a compond:

Roach:

  • Meaning "butt of a marijuana cigarette" is first recorded 1938, perhaps from resemblance to the insect, but perhaps a different word entirely.

(Etymonline)

Roach:

  • narcotics sense perhaps from earlier roach mane, a horse's mane clipped very short and tied; perhaps from the insect.

(The Dictionary of American Slang)

another possible origin is from Spanish tobacco de cucaracha:

  • In Spanish, tabaco de cucaracha ("roach tobacco") refers to powdery, low-quality tobacco.

(Wikipedia)

Correct answer by user 66974 on January 8, 2021

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