[f. TIP sb.4 + -STER. (In sense 2 erron. f. TIP sb.3)]
1. A man who makes a business of furnishing ‘tips’ or confidential information as to the probable chances of an event on which betting depends, esp. in horse-racing.
1862. Times, 31 Dec. Prophets, tipsters, and welshers—the parasites of the ring—are flourishing upon the infatuation or the ignorance of society. Ibid. (1865), 23 Sept. His Lordship asked the meaning of the word ‘tipster.’ Mr. Soper said it was one who prophesied, or pretended to tell the winners—who ‘tipped’ the word.
1897. Daily News, 20 Oct., 3. To stop solicitations from tipsters and bookmakers to persons under the age of twenty-one.
b. transf. One who furnishes ‘tips’ in general.
1884. Manch. Exam., 17 Nov., 5/2. If it is ever of great consequence to follow the rôle of the political tipster.
1900. Westm. Gaz., 11 May, 9/1. No wonder the price of … shares has given way…. The fall is due entirely to the overthrow of the tipsters, who led us to expect so much, only to plunge us into the deepest disappointment.
2. One who systematically gives ‘tips’ or gratuities: see TIPPER1 4.
1889. Pall Mall G., 18 Feb., 7/3. It is not uncommon for the ‘tipster’ to pay to the employé of the purchaser a fixed commission of so much per pound or ton on all goods purchased by the master. It then becomes the interest of the servant to make his master buy as much as possible of any article from the ‘tipster.’
