Where does the term cliff hanger come from?

Answer 1

Serial movies and radio shows would typically end with the hero in a hopeless and perilous predicament, such as hanging off the edge of a cliff by a threadbare burning rope. Cliff hanger now applies to any story that ends in suspense.

Answer 2

The term "cliffhanger" originated in the world of serialized adventure novels and films, where characters were often left in precarious situations, such as hanging off a cliff, at the end of an episode. The term is derived from these literal cliff-hanging scenarios, which were used to create suspense and ensure that audiences would tune in to see the resolution in the next installment.