what is the origin of the word blockbuster and when was it first coined?

Answer 1

From Wikipedia: "The etymology of the term is uncertain; some histories cite it as originally referring to a play that is so successful that competing theaters on the block are "busted" and driven out of business; others claim a derivation from the nickname of a type of World War II-era bomb capable of destroying an entire city block. Still others note that the term may stem from crowds of people that might flock to queue up for a hit play, perhaps stretching over several city blocks."

Answer 2

The etymology of the term is uncertain; some histories cite it as originally referring to a play that is so successful that competing theaters on the block are "busted" and driven out of business; others claim a derivation from the nickname of a type of World War II-era bomb capable of destroying an entire city block. Still others note that the term may stem from crowds of people that might flock to queue up for a hit play, perhaps stretching over several city blocks. Whatever its origin, the term quickly caught on as a way to describe a hit, and has subsequently been applied to productions other than plays and films, including novels and multimillion selling computer/console game titles.

blockbuster /blŏk'bŭs'tər/
NOUN:

1. Something, such as a film or book, that sustains widespread popularity and achieves enormous sales.
2. A high-explosive bomb used for demolition purposes.
3. One that engages in the practice of blockbusting.
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ETYMOLOGY:
Sense 3, from blockbusting

block·bust·ing
NOUN:
Informal
1. The practice of persuading white homeowners to sell quickly and usually at a loss by appealing to the fear that minority groups and especially Black people will move into the neighborhood, causing property values to decline. The property is then resold at inflated prices.

I find more references to bombs than anything else, but those other ideas sound plausible, as well. No clue as to first usage, cannot find anything there.

Answer 3

Blockbuster was the name given to several of the largest conventional bombs used in World War II by the Royal Air Force (RAF). The term Blockbuster was originally a name coined by the press and referred to a bomb which had enough explosive power to destroy a city block.
During The Blitz the Germans used sea-mines dropped on parachutes as improvised blockbusters. They exploded on contact with a hard surface, as the bomb was not in a crater, the blast could go sideways causing a great deal of damage.
The bombs then called blockbusters were the RAF's 4,000 lb - also known as a cookie, 8,000 and 12,000 lb (1,800, 3,600 and 5,400 kg) HC (High Capacity) bombs. These bombs had especially thin casings that allowed them to contain approximately three-quarters of their weight in explosive, the 4,000 pounder containing over 3,000 lb (1,360 kg) of explosive filling. Most 'normal' bombs (termed Medium Capacity - MC - by the RAF) at that time contained only 50% explosive by weight, the rest being made up of the bomb casing.
The High Capacity design was little more than a cylinder full of explosive - it was unaerodynamic and didn't even have fins. Accuracy was not important - these bombs were designed for blowing the tiles off the roofs of buildings so that the smaller 4 lb (1.8 kg) incendiary bombs could reach the building interiors. These 'High Capacity' bombs were only used by the RAF, being too big to fit in the bomb-bays of other country's aircraft.

Answer 4

i heard that the word blockbuster was first used when the film "Jaws" was released, the reason being that people would wait in massive queues which would span over many blocks to see it.

dont know when it was first used exactally but i think thats its origin....... if im thinking of the right blockbuster

Answer 5

WW2, Barnes-Wallis invented a bomb so powerful it could destroy a whole city block. Until the atomic bomb, it was the most powerful weapon on Earth.
The term came to apply to anything that had a huge impact, especially the relase of a movie.

Answer 6

Thats very interesting what the first guy said