Why Do We Say ‘In Cahoots’ for People Conspiring?
Whether you’re planning a friend’s surprise party (fun!) or casing the local bank for an upcoming heist (bad!), you may find yourself in cahoots. This phrase is a way“to describe people or groups working together or making plans together in secret.” The definition is likely familiar, but the origin of
the word “cahoots” is more mysterious. We know the word “cahoots” dates to the 1820s, but there are conflicting origin stories. Merriam-Webster says it’s possibly derived from the French cahute, meaning “cabin” or “hut.” The imagery of people tucked away in a cabin, conspiring in secret, may be the origin...
