verb. (racing).—To bet recklessly. Hence A PLUNGE = a reckless bet; PLUNGING = gambling for high stakes; PLUNGER = a reckless gambler. [E.g., the Marquis of Hastings, the first so-called. One night he played three games of draughts for £1000 a game and lost all three. He then ‘cut’ for £500 a ‘cut’ and lost £5000 in less than two hours. Benzon (the Jubilee Plunger) lost £250,000 in little more than twelve months.]
1880. Fortnightly Review, 319. PLUNGING was the order of the day.
1890. G. R. SIMS, in Referee, 20 April, ‘The Rondeau of the Knock.’
| One PLUNGER more has had his little flare | |
| And then came to Monday when he couldn’t ‘square.’ |
1891. Licensed Victuallers’ Gazette, 3 April. The Squire of Kingscote took to PLUNGING and shaking his elbow at baccarat nearly every night.
1901. Free Lance, 9 Feb., 471, 1. Sponging on their friends in order to settle their Stock Exchange “differences.”… Husbands are ruined in a day by the secret PLUNGING of their wives.
