verb. (American).—To sell under price; to share commission or discount: e.g., TO SCALP STOCK = to sell stock regardless of value; TICKET-SCALPING = the sale of unused railway tickets, or tickets bought in quantities as a speculation, at a cheaper than the official rate; TICKET-SCALPER = a ticket broker.
1882. Nation, 5 Oct., 276. With the eternal quarrel between railroads and SCALPERS, passengers have nothing to do.
1892. Pall Mall Gazette, 1 Nov., 2, 1. TICKET-SCALPING … has reference to the transferability or otherwise of tickets rather than to their date of expiry.
1894. Standard, 3 May, 7, 1. These huge grouped tenderings on a preconcerted plan … when successful merely represent a SCALPING of the Stock at the expense of the genuine investor.
2. (American party-politician’s).—(a) To ostracise for rebellion, and (b) to ruin one’s influence.
