high roller

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See also: high-roller

English

WOTD – 15 November 2018

Etymology

Dice-players and a Bird-seller Gathered around a Stone Slab (between 1620 and 1630) by the Maestro dei Giocatori (Master of the Gamblers) whose identity is unknown, from a private collection

A reference to a gambler rolling dice.

Pronunciation

Noun

high roller (plural high rollers) (Canada, US, informal)

  1. (gambling) A gambler who wagers large amounts of money, usually in a casino.
    • 1873, , “Inventors”, in John Morris, editor, Wanderings of a Vagabond. An Autobiography, New York, N.Y.: Published by the author, →OCLC, page 178:
      They were all "high rollers" against faro, had plenty of money, and, if the cards came favorably, would "chaw up" a bank in double-quick time.
    • 1990 October 10, Robert Cowen (Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit), Zarin v. Commissioner‎, archived from the original on 19 October 2017, 916 F. 2d 110:
      Before long, Zarin developed a reputation as an extravagant "high roller" who routinely bet the house maximum while playing craps, his game of choice. Considered a "valued gaming patron" by Resorts, Zarin had his credit limit increased at regular intervals without any further credit checks, and was provided a number of complimentary services and privileges.
    • 2005, Joseph Levy, High Roller: A Novel, Lincoln, Neb.: iUniverse, →ISBN, page 24:
      He was a bigger net yield than any two or three girls because a satisfied woman was far more generous than a depleted john. And frequently, Rocco owed a high-roller a favor and the girl came back with nothing.
    • 2017 June 26, Alexis Petridis, “Glastonbury 2017 verdict: Radiohead, Foo Fighters, Lorde, Stormzy and more”, in The Guardian‎, London, archived from the original on 12 November 2017:
      Chief among the dire presentiments was the suggestion that the ascension of Labour to power would result in Radiohead ceasing touring and instead taking up a residency at a Las Vegas resort. The image of Thom Yorke serenading Sin City's high rollers with a rousing chorus of Pulk/Pull Revolving Doors was mind-boggling, but you could see why some press went on the offensive.
  2. One who has a lot of money and lives luxuriously.
    • 1905 September, Arthur [Cheney] Train, “The Extraordinary Adventure of the Baron de Ville”, in McAllister and His Double, New York, N.Y.: Charles Scribner's Sons, →OCLC, page 59:
      The "Baron" bowed. This was a new complication, but it was all in the day's work. Of course, the whole thing was plain enough. Fatty Welch was "working" some swell guys who thought he was a real high-roller. Maybe he was going to pull off some kind of a job that very evening. Perhaps this big chap in the swagger flannels was one of the gang. Barney was thinking hard. Well, he'd take the tip and play the hand out.

Alternative forms

Translations

See also

References

  1. ^ “high roller”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
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