Etymology
The word "cliffhanger" originated in the late 19th century from the practice of ending a serial publication, such as a novel or a film, with a moment of suspense that would encourage readers or viewers to continue reading or watching.
Meaning
A cliffhanger is a moment of suspense or uncertainty at the end of a story or episode, which leaves the outcome unknown and encourages the audience to continue reading or watching to find out what happens next.
Origin
The term "cliffhanger" is believed to have originated from the way that serial publications were often printed in the 19th century. Each installment would end with a cliffhanging moment, often literally on a cliff's edge, to keep readers waiting for the next installment.
One of the earliest known uses of the term "cliffhanger" was in an 1891 review of a serial novel by Richard Harding Davis. The reviewer wrote that the author "leaves his readers dangling on the edge of a cliffhanger, suspended between life and death."
The term quickly gained popularity and became a common term for any ending that left the audience in suspense. It has since been applied to various forms of storytelling, including television shows, movies, and books.
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