or -ticket, subs. pl. (American).—Dismissal. Thus, TO GET ONE’S WALKING-PAPERS = to get the SACK (q.v.), to be sent about one’s business, ‘with (spec.) a flea in one’s ear.’
1835. CROCKETT, Tour to the North and Down East, 30. He ordered J. Duane to remove the deposites. He answered … his duty [did not] require it. In a few hours he got his WALKING TICKET that his services were no longer wanted.
1843. Kingston Whig (Canada), Dec. We can announce with certainty that the Honourable Mr. D—— has received his WALKING TICKET, accompanied with some correspondence with his Excellency that has given him offence.
1856. WHITCHER, The Widow Bedott Papers, 307. If ever you dew it agin you ’ll git your WALKIN’-TICKET on short order.
c. 1859. New York Herald, Letter from Washington [BARTLETT]. It is probable that WALKING PAPERS will be forwarded to a large proportion of the corps diplomatique during the session of Congress. B—— and B—— are already admonished to return, and the invitation will be pretty general.
