Phrase guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.
adj
Early, near the start or beginning.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Northern-England, not-comparable
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
adv
Early; at a time before expected; sooner than usual.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Northern-England, Scotland, not-comparable
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Women's drawers.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Cockney, plural, plural-only, slang
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
According to some, the phrase originated at a time when English pubs closed in the afternoon as a term for customers who were waiting or arrived soon after the pub re-opened in the evening. Alternatively, the phrase is said to originate in the theatre world, where it described a facility available to early-arriving members of the audience, who were allowed to avoid the crush and choose the best seats in return for paying a small premium.
