Origin of the term "souped up"

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Brooks James

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It was originally thought that it was a reference to supercharging. It was defined in a dictionary in 1911 as a "horse injected with a narcotic to make it run faster." So the soup was the narcotic.
 
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That is a very old term, I can't tell you the origin but I can tell you I can remember my grandfather saying it 50 years ago and it always just meant hot rodded, high performance or souped up. I also grew up in a equestrian family and never heard the term used around horses but I did hear the term hot shot. A method of making a horse perform above its normal abilities.
 
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Modified to a higher level of performance. A common term in the 50's especially if you had a jalopy.
 
Being souped up landed me in jail multiple times, living under a bridge for a couple years. For a grand total of 1/3 of my life wasted. Looking back it all started out like I was a race horse
 
It was originally thought that it was a reference to supercharging. It was defined in a dictionary in 1911 as a "horse injected with a narcotic to make it run faster." So the soup was the narcotic.

Considering people talk about the use of steroids etc as being "juiced" I could easily believe this. Lots of things we say for certain things have very old origins.... F.U.&.* for instance.... lol.

Thanks for this.
 
Ah yeah. You're correct
Yep Jalopy Junk. Ford wanted them to cheap out on parts, as they were suppliers, they said No, and cashed out on ol Henry for millions ( 1919 or 20s , 25 mill maybe) caint remember... that's were the FU came in! Lol and the Real Deal of rides was born for cars and trucks!
 
Considering people talk about the use of steroids etc as being "juiced" I could easily believe this. Lots of things we say for certain things have very old origins.... F.U.&.* for instance.... lol.

Thanks for this.
It came from the German word " frikken" spelling maybe wrong.. I had a nice tapestry explaining all the various uses of the term
 
It was originally thought that it was a reference to supercharging. It was defined in a dictionary in 1911 as a "horse injected with a narcotic to make it run faster." So the soup was the narcotic.

I never knew, thanks.

How about "Ship High In Transit" S.H.I.T.

Story isn't true but it's fun to tell.
 
Junk origins are the shitty as boats in china
 
I like the story maybe not true but Henry Ford was apparently a antisemitic & the dodge bros who weren't Jewish used the star of David to spite h.f.
 
I like the story maybe not true but Henry Ford was apparently a antisemitic & the dodge bros who weren't Jewish used the star of David to spite h.f.
He was also extremely cheap. He showed up to a party given by Edison where gifts were supposed to be brought. He grabbed a rock out of his garden for his gift.
 
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