subs. (common).—1. A publican: cf. Luke xviii.; 2. (old), a harlot: see TART. OLD SINNER = a jesting reproach.
1601. JONSON, The Poetaster, iii. 1. Tuc. … I would fain come with my cockatrice one day, and see a play if I knew when there were a good bawdy one…. Hist. … We have as much ribaldry in our plays as can be, as you would wish, captain; all the SINNERS in the suburbs come and applaud our action daily.
1809. MALKIN, Gil Blas [ROUTLEDGE], 106. Seasoned exactly to the taste of these old SINNERS.
