Discussion Groups / English Usage / January 2007

I'm first met the phrase in the form "The Protestant Work Ethic".
Only later did I encounter it with "Protestant" omitted.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protestant_work_ethic

   The Protestant work ethic, or sometimes called the Puritan work
   ethic, is a Calvinist value emphasising the necessity of
   constant labour in a person's calling as a sign of personal
   salvation. Protestants beginning with Martin Luther had
   reconceptualised work as a duty in the world for the benefit of
   the individual and society as a whole. The Catholic idea of good
   works was transformed into an obligation to work diligently as a
   sign of grace.

   History
   
   The term was first coined by Max Weber, the "youngest" of the
   German Historical School, in his The Protestant Ethic and the
   Spirit of Capitalism. The Protestant work ethic is often
   credited with helping to define the societies of Northern Europe
   and other Protestant countries where Protestantism was strong,
   such as in Scandinavia, northern Germany, Great Britain and the
   United States. In such societies it is regarded by many
   observers as one of the cornerstones of national prosperity. It
   has been said that people in countries with Protestant roots
   tend to be more materialistic, perfectionist, and that they
   focused more on work, compared to people many other countries,
   such as Spain, Italy and France where the people had a more
   relaxed attitude toward work.

Which came first, "work ethic" or "Protestant work ethic"?

Was the phrase "work ethic" in use before Weber used the words, or
did he coin the complete phrase, which was later shortened by
others?