[Baranovich]

The modern word "hooker" which today of course is applied to prostitutes, had its origins in the American Civil War.

General Joseph Hooker, commander of the Army of the Potomac in early 1863, was notorious for soliciting the services of prostitutes whenever he and his staff were on leave near Washington, D.C. The general and his inner circle were so notorious for their visits to the brothels, that the prostitutes that serviced them became known as "Hooker's Girls", which was a nickname that was perhaps first coined by the common soldiers of his army.

This was later shortened to simply "Hookers". The word stuck.