Whence "dirt nap" for death?

I first heard the phrase ‘dirt nap’ , meaning dead, on the movie “Sleepers.” It seemed rather forced to me at the time, but I think it has a certain panache.
So, was that the first time it was used?
Thanks,
greatshakes

It’s been around for a while.

Quite possibly a combination of biting the dust and being buried.

Certainly not “common” until the mid-90’s or so. I found one use in a NY Times piece written in 1987 about insurance salesmen. The writer was using a string of “humorous” euphemisms for death.

Nothing here unfortunately

I distinctly remember the first time I heard the expression. It was on an episode of the early 80’s sitcom Bosom Buddies. Tom Hanks delivered the line.

I was once accused of inventing the term. :dubious: