Where does the term "The Real Mcoy" come from?

Question

I know about Hatfield and Mcoy, but the above term means "The Real Deal", so where does it come from?

Answer 1

Bootlegging term. In the days of prohibition, the major importer if illegal booze was Ian McCoy. His was the best quality of gin that was smuggled. He made a name for himself and the quality of his product. Speakeasy's would say, that they had "the real McCoy", as a testament to their clients.

McCoy was killed by federal Agents of the Coast of Long Island in 1928. He was shot while in a running gun battle. He was trying to get his boat into international waters, while exchanging gunfire with the Feds.

Answer 2

Therea re many stories

A boxer, Norman Selby, known as Kid McCoy, American welterweight champion from 1898-1900. There are apocryphal tales to the effect that he had many imitators and had to adopt the term to distinguish himself.

Answer 3

He was a black man who made inventions that were badly copied. When a person received one of his inventions they questioned whether it was real or not--"Is this the real McCoy?!"

Answer 4

http://inventors.about.com/od/mstartinventors/a/Elijah_McCoy.htm Here you go!