text: how did we coin the term, painting the town red? how did we get this phrase. this colorful term for a wild spree, especially one involving much drinking, probably originated on the frontier. in the nineteenth century the section of town where brothels and saloons were located was known as the 'red light district.' so a group of lusty cowhands out for a night 'on the town' might very well take it into their heads to make the whole town red.