subs. (thieves’ and vagrants’).—An amateur entertainment held at a public house; a FREE AND EASY (q.v.); a SING SONG (q.v.).
1877. GREENWOOD, Dick Temple. ‘What is a BLINKO for instance?’ ‘Well, it’s a kind of entertainment, singing, and that,’ replied the old fellow, ‘to which strangers are not invited—least of all the police.’
1883. Daily Telegraph, August 4, 2, col. 1. ‘An Harmonic BLINKO, the proceeds of which will be given towards buying a barrow for Young Duckling, who has got married with no visible means of support.’
