show-out

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search
See also: show out

English

[edit]

Noun

[edit]

show-out (plural show-outs)

  1. A surreptitious signal made by an informer to the police contact, indicating that it is safe to approach.
    • 2007, Paul Willetts, North Soho 999: A True Story of Gun-crime in 1940s London, page 101:
      On entering the venue, the detective had to avoid approaching or acknowledging whoever he was meeting. First, the detective had to wait for the 'show out'. This consisted of a brief nod, signalling that there was nobody around who might blow the informer's cover.

References

[edit]
  • Tom Dalzell, Terry Victor (2015) The New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English, page 2006

Anagrams

[edit]