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?
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:
- Meaning "butt of a marijuana cigarette" is first recorded 1938, perhaps from resemblance to the insect, but perhaps a different word entirely.
(Etymonline)
- 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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