Deadline Word Origin - Web deadline (n.)time limit, 1920, american english newspaper jargon, from dead (adj.) + line (n.). Prisoners would be shot for crossing the 'dead line'. Web in the 1860s, a 'dead line' was a line within or around a prison. Perhaps influenced by earlier use.
Perhaps influenced by earlier use. Prisoners would be shot for crossing the 'dead line'. Web deadline (n.)time limit, 1920, american english newspaper jargon, from dead (adj.) + line (n.). Web in the 1860s, a 'dead line' was a line within or around a prison.