offsider

offsider

English

Etymology

offside +‎ -er

Pronunciation

• Audio (AU)

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Noun

offsider (plural offsiders)

1. (Australia, New Zealand, informal) A partner, assistant, or deputy.
   • 1987, Jill Bowen, Kidman: The Forgotten King, 2010, unnumbered page,

     Kidman, riding hell for leather and carrying a heavy stockwhip, caught up with him soon after, or rather with his offsider, who was tailing the mob, and demanded an explanation for their trespassing.

     “Don′t ask me,” said the offsider. “You see the boss.”

   • 2006, Michael Roberts, 50 Years of Television in Australia, page 59,

     With the 2005 incarnation of Temptation, Livinia Nixon has completed the trifecta of TV seconds: variety offsider, game show hostess and weather girl.

   • 2007, Andrew Fraser, Court in the Middle, 2010, unnumbered page,

     Tom also brought an offsider. I will never forget the look on the faces of the airline staff when Big Tony hauled his shooter out and slammed it on the counter. Tom and his sidekick did the same. I couldn′t believe these blokes were armed and how cool everyone was about it.

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