etymology of "red light district"?

Answer 1

I always heard that "red light district" came from the practice of railroad men leaving their lanterns on the brothel's porch. The railroaders were required to carry a red lantern with them whenever they left the train. That way they could be easily found in case of an emergency. They would leave their lights outside bordellos whenever they stopped in for servicing.

I don't have any proof and really a they could have easily left it outside a dentist when they got their teeth filled. But, a red light sitting alone on a regular looking building does conjure the image of what might be happening inside.

Answer 2

It is a place where men go to pick up prostitutes,like in foreign countries in the rooms they have red lights,hence red light district where the hookers go.

Answer 3

Light houses were invented so that sailors could see from far away where the shore was.

Red lights were invented so that sailors could see from far away where the whores were.

Answer 4

each brothel usually had a red light above the entrance lobby, o that misunerstanding was impossible