Where did the term lobbying come from?

The term "lobbying" actually means to rally for a cause. Where the term originally came from is up for debate, however. Many believe that it originated within the walls of the historic Willard Hotel that is in Washington DC. The story dates all the way back to 1850 when a conversation that was off-the-record took place in a city that was notorious for private, sometimes even shady, dealings. It was within the lobby at the Willard Hotel where President Ulysses S. Grant used to visit.

There were groups that would unite for a cause and this coined the phrase because it all took place in a lobby. Some other people do not feel that is where the term originated and the fact that the scenario took place was just a happen so. Nontheless, it does make good sense.