| 释义 |
ampster Austral. slang.|ˈæmpstə(r)|
Also amster.
[Perh. abbrev. of Amsterdam, rhyming slang for ‘ram’ = a trickster's accomplice, with intrusive p.]
The helper of a showman or trickster, ‘planted’ in the audience to start the buying of tickets, goods, etc. Hence as v. intr., to act as an ampster.
1941K. Tennant Battlers xiii. 143 Mr. Fosdick was agreeable, provided the busker would ‘ampster’ for him. Ibid. 144 The ampster rushes eagerly up to the ticket-window. 1945Baker Austral. Lang. vii. 138 Terms for various sharpers, tricksters and others who live by their wits: spieler,..amster (or ampster), [etc.]. 1955Overland (Melbourne) iv. 10 Holdens rub hubs with old four-wheelers; So do the amsters and their shielas. 1957D. Niland Call me when Cross turns Over (1958) iv. 101 Barbie, playing ampster, went up and bought a bottle... Others followed to buy. 1967Parade (Austral.) Oct. 8/3 Niland roamed Australia working in jobs that ranged from circus hand to ampster and gee-man in travelling boxing shows. 1975H. Porter Extra 244 A shady Soho club patronised by dips, amsters, off-duty prostitutes. |