or flying-patterer, or running-stationer, subs. phr. (old).—A hawker of ballads, dying-speeches, newspapers, and books: cf. PINNER-UP (B. E., and GROSE).
1851–61. H. MAYHEW, London Labour and the London Poor, I. 228. The latter include the RUNNING PATTERERS, or death-hunters; being men (no women) engaged in vending last dying speeches and confessions.
1864. HOTTEN, The Slang Dictionary, s.v. RUNNING STATIONER. Persons of this class formerly used to run, blowing a horn. Nowadays … these peripatetic newsmen bawl in quiet London thoroughfares, to the disturbance of the residents.
