The real McCoy/McKay

Posted by R. Berg on September 16, 2003

In Reply to: The ral McCoy/McKay posted by James Briggs on September 16, 2003

: The true origin of this phrase is still a little obscure. It's first recorded in an Irish ballad of the 1880s as ' the real McKay' and is recorded as such in Australia in 1903. (McKay was a brand of Scotch whisky). We've discussed this before at www.phrases.org.uk bulletin_board 8 messages 437.html We mentioned Elisha/Elijah McCoy as a possible source.

: A couple of days ago I had a message from 'Jerry' (no surname given). As judged by the spelling of 'traveled', I guess he comes from the USA. He offered the following origin. I pass it on. It gives more information about Elisha and what he invented.
: "Just a note: the term 'the Real McCoy' came from Elisha McCoy, a black man born in 1843. At the age of 16 he traveled to Edinburgh, Scotland, to serve an apprenticeship in mechanical engineering. In Edinburgh, McCoy won the credentials of a master mechanic and engineer. He went on to invent the self-oiling Steam Engine Lubricator. After time others started duplicating it . People wanted to know if it was a copy or the 'Real McCoy'.
: The reason I know this is because I am a big steam Engine buff."
: I still think the 'McKay' version is the most likely one, but the dates would sort of fit in for Elisha. Does anyone have have any kind of confirmation?

I don't know more than what's in the archives. I just want to comment that being a big steam engine buff doesn't make anyone an expert on phrase origins.