subs. phr. (colloquial).—A person or thing, superlative.
1819. J. H. VAUX, Memoirs, ii. 194. OUT-AND-OUTER, a person of a resolute determined spirit, who pursues his object without regard to danger or difficulties; also an incorrigible depredator, who will rob friend or stranger indiscriminately.
1821. P. EGAN, Life in London [DICK], 95. Logic … was considered an OUT-AND-OUTER.
1829. Old Song, ‘On the Prigging Lay,’ v. [FARMER, Musa Pedestris (1896), 107]. Are they OUT-AND-OUTERS, dearie?
1836. DICKENS, Pickwick Papers, xl. p. 354. It was discovered that one of the turnkeys had a bed to let…. ‘If you’ll come with me, I’ll show it you at once,’ said the man. ‘It ain’t a large ’un, but it’s an OUT-AND-OUTER to sleep in.’ Ibid. (1838), Nicholas Nickleby, lx. I am the man as is guaranteed, by unimpeachable references, to be a OUT-AND-OUTER in morals and uprightness of principle.
1855. THACKERAY, The Newcomes, xvii. Master Clive was pronounced an OUT-AND-OUTER, a swell, and no mistake.
1877. W. H. THOMSON, Five Years’ Penal Servitude, iii. 246. She were an OUT AND OUTER in going into shops on the filch.
1888. BOLDREWOOD, Robbery under Arms, xx. Isn’t he a regular OUT-AND-OUTER to look at?
1893. MILLIKEN, ’Arry Ballads, 37. Now one twigs OUT-AND-OUTERS take down wots too spice a’most for the Pis.
