red-light（adj.）
红灯作为停止的标志可以追溯到1849年，早于交通信号灯的出现； 参见 red（adj.1）+ light（n.）。作为儿童游戏的名称（指交通灯的含义），记录于1953年。
使用“红灯区”来指代一个有许多妓院的城市区域可以追溯到1896年。
On a few blocks east of the Bowery, in what was known as the Red Light district, there are still a few houses of this character. The Red Light district was so called because the hall light in disreputable houses had a red globe or shone through red curtains covering the transom of the hall door. A red light before a cigar store, cider room or coffee room indicated its purpose. The Parisian licensed brothel has a red lantern with the number of the house over the door. [I.L. Nascher, M.D., "The Wretches of Povertyville," Chicago, 1909]
在鲍尔里以东的几个街区，即所谓的红灯区，仍有一些这样的房屋。红灯区之所以被称为红灯区，是因为不名誉的房屋的门厅灯有一个红色的球形或透过门厅门上覆盖的红色窗帘照射出来。雪茄店、苹果酒房或咖啡房前的红灯表示它们的用途。巴黎的有执照的妓院门前有一个带有房屋号码的红灯笼。[I.L. Nascher, M.D., "The Wretches of Povertyville," Chicago, 1909]
该词起源时间：1849年