Where did the term cliffhanger come from?

The term "cliffhanger" comes from the practice in early serialized fiction of ending an installment at a moment of suspense, often with the protagonist in a dangerous or uncertain situation, to encourage readers to buy the next installment. This technique was particularly popular in adventure and mystery stories from the 19th and early 20th centuries.

One of the earliest known uses of the term "cliffhanger" in this sense is in an 1866 article in the New York Times, which referred to the practice of authors "keeping their readers in suspense till the last moment, and then leaving them hanging on a cliff of anxiety to ascertain the termination in the next number." Another early use of the term is in an 1889 issue of the journal Truth, which stated that "the American story must end suddenly with what is known as a 'cliff-hanger'" in order to keep readers coming back for more.

The cliffhanger has remained a popular storytelling device, especially in television and film, often used to build suspense and encourage viewers to return for the next episode or installment.