A worthless fellow who tries to exist on other people’s resources.
1877. A system of local government controlled by … bummers, loafers, and dead-beats.—William Black, ‘Green Pastures,’ p. 325. (N.E.D.)
1882. I suppose you ’ve piloted round and dry-nussed every tramp and dead-beat you ’ve met.—F. B. Harte, ‘Flip,’ ii. (N.E.D.)
