subs. (thieves’).—1. In A pair of nippers with semi-tubular jaws which can be inserted in a keyhole from the outside to turn the key.
2. (common).—An ignoramus. Also, a person unattached. Also, an incompetent, doubtful, or unknown champion or competitor in any walk of life or sport. Also, a DUFFER (q.v.), moral, physical or social.
1864. The Saturday Review, July, ‘Stray Votes.’ The game he has in view is that peculiar variety of Parliamentary species known as an OUTSIDER or a loose fish, but described by itself under the more flattering title of ‘an independent member.’
1877. W. BLACK, Green Pastures and Piccadilly, xxvii. Of course it was as a mere pleasure excursion that we OUTSIDERS were permitted to speak of this long journey.
1880. HAWLEY SMART, Social Sinners, xxxiii. That fellow, Hainton, has beat the lot of us. I never was more than quite an OUTSIDER myself, still I feel so bad about it, that I really must … have something to drink. Ibid. (1884), From Post to Finish, xvii. For the stable to follow up last year’s successes by taking the first great three-year-old event of the season, with an OUTSIDER, ridden by a Riddleton lad, was something to boast of.
1885. Morning Post, 5 Feb. So far as OUTSIDERS can see there is always the same cheerfulness.
1890. GRANT ALLEN, The Tents of Shem, x. Nobody, and especially not a peppery old General who’s served more than half his life in India likes to have it dictated to him by RANK OUTSIDERS what disposition he’s to make of his own money.
1901. M. A. P., 2 Feb., 113, 2. As he has already some connection with the music halls, he must have more opportunities of learning the ropes than an OUTSIDER.
3. (racing).—A person who fails to gain admission to the ‘ring’ from pecuniary or other causes.
