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by Phroggue on June 12th, 2005

Phroggue

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Why are people said to be "out of pocket" when they are travelling (especially business travel)?

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  • by Robert McLaren on June 13th, 2005

    Robert McLaren

    This is from Random House, the dictionary publisher......
    The phrase out of pocket also means 'out of place; out of order', and often describes unacceptable behavior or situations. This meaning has its roots in Black English of the 1940s, and refers to the pockets on a pool table. An example from a recent edition of The Los Angeles Times: "Any outsider who would attempt to engage in that conversation would be out of pocket."

    They have a LOT more to say about it on this link.....
    http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=20010522

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