Where did into the kitty come from?

The phrase "into the kitty" originates from the 19th-century gambling context, where "kitty" referred to a pool of money that players contributed to for betting or prizes. The term likely derives from the Word "kitten," which was slang for a collection of money. Over time, its usage expanded beyond gambling to describe any communal fund or shared resource among a group. Today, it can refer to shared expenses or contributions in various contexts, such as group outings or projects.