GENTLEMEN OF THE THREE OUTS, subs. phr. (old).—See quots.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. GENTLEMAN—without money, without wit, and without manners.
1830. BULWER-LYTTON, Paul Clifford, iv. Paul became A GENTLEMAN OF THREE OUTS—out of pocket, out of elbows, and out of credit.
1834. W. H. AINSWORTH, Rookwood, III. v. Jerry Juniper was what the classical Captain Grose would designate ‘A GENTLEMAN WITH THREE OUTS’; and, although he was not entirely without wit, nor his associates avouched, without money, nor, certainty, in his own opinion, had that been asked, without manners.
