Date:  Fri, 10 May 1996 09:39:53 -0600

From:  Joan Houston Hall <jdhall[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]FACSTAFF.WISC.EDU>

Subject: Re: out-of-pocket



DARE will have an entry for "out of (the) pocket" in volume IV (at "pocket").

It's labelled "chiefly Sth, S Midl" and defined 'Unavailable, absent, out of

place.' We have quite a few contemporary examples, but nothing earlier than

the late 1960s. So if anyone can come up with an earlier citation, or even

a recollection of the use of the phrase before that, I'd like to see it.

This usually refers to people rather than things, occurring in contexts such

as "I called you at home yesterday, but you were out of pocket." "I'm out

of the pocket for a bit, but will get back at ya." "I'll be out of pocket

for a few days, but you can leave a message on my machine."



Joan Hall

DARE