the term "segars" 18th 19th cent.

[greenacres]

Is the term "segars" (a tobbaconist ) the word used back in the 1700 and 1800's?

[ghopper1924]

Yes, and even earlier if I'm not mistaken.

[talesofthesevenseas]

It doesn't appear in the Etymology online dictionary that gives word origins, but there are several variations of "Cigar":
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=cigar&searchmode=none][url]http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?allowed_in_frame=0&search=cigar&searchmode=none[/url]

[talesofthesevenseas]

It also does not appear in Wikipedia in that form:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Segar only as a corruption of cigar.

It does appear in dictionary.com, but just as a form of cigar:
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/segar?s=t

[bigwull]

Yes, and even earlier if I'm not mistaken.

I think you are mistaken....I think its as Tales, has found...a corruption of the word cigar....like if you heard someone say...."I want a seegar,....this is the way,i,d thing of spelling if I did,nt know better...therefore unless G,acre has seen segars written in a different context...I think Tales has it nailed...

[ghopper1924]

"The word "cigar" originated from sikar, the Yucatec Mayan word for smoking, which became cigarro in Spanish, probably from the Mayan sikar ("to smoke rolled tobacco leaves" – from sik, "tobacco;") or from the Spanish word cigarra ("grasshopper"). However, the word itself, and variations on it, did not come into general use until 1730. New names for cigars include "Jules", "Havana", "Vitole" and "Puro".[1] An older alternate spelling is "segar",[2] not uncommon in 19th century signs and advertisements."

So yes, it has to do with smoking and tobacco. It's also another spelling for "cigar."

[cogar]

However, the word itself, and variations on it, did not come into general use until 1730.

Well now, iffen the word "segar" dates back that far ... then one can probably find examples of it being spelled this away, ..... "fegar". 

And no, I'm not "funnin" ya, .... to wit:

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/101/why-did-18th-century-writers-use-f-inftead-of-s

[bigwull]

However, the word itself, and variations on it, did not come into general use until 1730.

Well now, iffen the word "segar" dates back that far ... then one can probably find examples of it being spelled this away, ..... "fegar". 

And no, I'm not "funnin" ya, .... to wit:

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/101/why-did-18th-century-writers-use-f-inftead-of-s

you,re a bit cunny funt...is what we,d say over here....

[bigwull]

The most confusing use of a letter in my opinion is the B...in the Greek form..the Germans use it instead of the double SS..example..street names...i.e.Niedero fleiderstrasse..... .which is now spelt....Niederofle ider StraBe....see pick of a pre 1945 street sign which i bought from a floh markt in Germany..a few years ago...it cost me 10 D-mark...its blue enamel background with white raised letter,

[ghopper1924]

However, the word itself, and variations on it, did not come into general use until 1730.

Well now, iffen the word "segar" dates back that far ... then one can probably find examples of it being spelled this away, ..... "fegar". 

And no, I'm not "funnin" ya, .... to wit:

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/101/why-did-18th-century-writers-use-f-inftead-of-s

you,re a bit cunny funt...is what we,d say over here....

Is that any relation to a cunning stunt??

[greenacres]

Always learning something new. Thank you everyone. I was never a 'segar" smoker, lol . Toda they are called "blunts", lol. Just joking.

[bigwull]

However, the word itself, and variations on it, did not come into general use until 1730.

Well now, iffen the word "segar" dates back that far ... then one can probably find examples of it being spelled this away, ..... "fegar". 

And no, I'm not "funnin" ya, .... to wit:

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/101/why-did-18th-century-writers-use-f-inftead-of-s

you,re a bit cunny funt...is what we,d say over here....

Is that any relation to a cunning stunt??

..might be its half cousin....

[greenacres]

  , So true!