Why did they call the bootlegger bars speak-easys?

Question: Why did they call the bootlegger bars speak-easys!?

Maybe it just meant they were hush-hush(!?)Www@QuestionHome@Com

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

"Coz several shots of hooch-loosened your tongue!.!.!.!.or maybe it's a come-on!.!.!.like New Orleans is the Big Easy!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.!.y'know!.!.!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Partly hush hush, but you need a whispered pass code to get in!. Mostly!. It is where the comic phrase "Joe sent me!." came from!.

Most speakeasys were NOT public places, more like private bars secluded in office building basements, down back alley's!. Secrecy was important because Booze including real beer was illegal!.!.Ever watch the Untouchables!. the Federal Agents who could not be corrupted!? A lot of that was true in a sense!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

The bartender told the person to "speak easy" when they were ordering drinks!. It was the way they ordered their drinks because of all the secrecy!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

noone could speak easy!?!?Www@QuestionHome@Com