Late 18th century; earliest use found in Correct Copy Papers relating to Negotiation between Great Britain & France. Either (i) shortened from status quo ante bellum.
Definition of status ante bellum in US English:
status ante bellum
nounˌsteɪtəs antɪ ˈbɛləm
= status quo ante bellum.
Origin
Late 18th century; earliest use found in Correct Copy Papers relating to Negotiation between Great Britain & France. Either (i) shortened from status quo ante bellum.