The Origin of Gonzo

The phrase "Gonzo" has many speculative origins. One explanation is that the term was coined in 1970 by the Boston Globe editor, Bill Carduso, who used South Boston Irish slang in his articles. The noun, "Gonzo", supposedly was used to talk about the last man standing after an all night drinking marathon. Another speculated point of origin for the term "Gonzo" comes from a New Orleans rhythm and blues piece of the same name by James Booker, which in 1960 reached number 43 on the US Billboard Chartand number 3 on the R&B charts.