Punter
A
listener who is a fan of the British novelist Dick Francis (a former jockey who
writes about horse racing and crime) asked about the word punter, a common term
in Francis’ novels. Jim from Suttons Bay
called in to share that it means a bettor. It probably came from a French word
that meant a card player who lays a stake against the bank in an attempt to
gain points.
A
review on goodreads.com comments, “Even Money is again about the
racing environment, delving into the world of the bookies and the punters on
the racetrack.”
The
noun punt has several meanings.
√ a long narrow flat-bottomed boat
with square ends usually propelled with a pole;
√ the monetary pound of Ireland before
the Euro;
√ an ancient Egyptian name designating a
part of Africa not clearly identified but probably Somaliland;
√ the indentation on the bottom of a
wine bottle.
There are at least two verb meanings of punt.
√ in cards, to play at a
gambling game against the banker;
√ to kick a football or soccer ball with
the top of the foot before the ball hits the ground, having been dropped from
the hands.
Listen
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Now. You’ll also find about a month’s worth of podcasts there under The Ron Jolly Show.
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