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Origin and history of stringer

stringer(n.)

early 15c., strenger, "one who makes bow-strings" (late 12c. as a surname), agent noun from string (v.). The general sense of "one who arranges on a string" is by 1850.

The meaning "newspaper correspondent paid by length of copy" is from 1950, probably from the earlier figurative sense of "one who strings words together" (1774), a dismissive or contemptuous term for a writer.

also from early 15c.

Entries linking to stringer

string(v.)

c. 1400, "fit (a bow) with a string," from string (n.). The meaning "thread (beads, etc.) on a string" is from 1610s. In reference to a musical instrument, "provide with strings," from 1520s (stringed instrument is from c. 1600). General sense of "move in a loose line" is by 1824.

To string (someone) along is slang attested by 1902 and is of uncertain origin. String (v.) in the sense "deceive" is attested in British dialect from c. 1812; perhaps the phrase is ultimately from the musical instrument sense and has a notion of "'tune' someone (for some purpose)." Related: Stringed (later strung); stringing.

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    Old English timber "building, structure," in late Old English "building material, trees suitable for building," and "trees or woods in general," from Proto-Germanic *tem(b)ra- (source also of Old Saxon timbar "a building, room," Old Frisian timber "wood, building," Old High Germa
    timbre
    "characteristic quality of a musical sound," 1849, from French timbre "quality of a sound," earlier "sound of a bell," from Old French, "bell without a clapper," originally "small drum," probably via Medieval Greek *timbanon, from Greek tympanon "kettledrum" (see tympanum). Timbr
    replay
    by 1862, in sporting jargon (curling), "to play (a match) again," from re- "again" + play (v.). Of sound recordings (later video, etc.), "reproduce what has been recorded," by 1912. Related: Replayed; replaying. The noun is from 1895 as "a replayed match" in sports. The meaning "
    player
    Middle English pleiere, from Old English plegere "one who takes part in pastimes or amusements," an agent noun from play (v.). The stage senses of "performer of plays, professional actor," also "one who performs on a musical instrument" are from c. 1400. The meaning "contestant i
    tame
    c. 1200, of persons, "in a state of subjection, physically subdued, restrained in behavior;" mid-13c., of animals, "domesticated, reclaimed from wildness," also, of persons, "meek, gentle-natured, compliant, intent on homely or domestic activities," from oblique forms of Old Engl
    team
    Old English team "descendant, family, race, line; child-bearing, brood; company, band; set of draft animals yoked together," from Proto-Germanic *tau(h)maz (source also of Old Norse taumr, Old Frisian tam "bridle; progeny, line of descent," Dutch toom, Old High German zoum, Germa
    meat
    Middle English mēte, from Old English mete "food, nourishment, sustenance" (paired with drink), "item of food; animal food, fodder," also "a meal, repast," from Proto-Germanic *mati (source also of Old Frisian mete, Old Saxon meti, Old Norse matr, Old High German maz, Gothic mats
    brace
    early 14c., "piece of armor for the arms," also "thong, strap for fastening," from Old French brace "arms," also "length measured by two arms" (12c., Modern French bras "arm, power;" brasse "fathom, armful, breaststroke"), from Latin bracchia, plural of bracchium "an arm, a forea
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    1640s, "small number of military men detailed for some purpose," from French esquade, from French escadre, from Spanish escuadra or Italian squadra "battalion," literally "square," from Vulgar Latin *exquadra "to square." This is from Latin ex "out" (see ex-) + quadrare "make squ
    guild
    also gild, early 13c., yilde (spelling later influenced by Old Norse gildi "guild, brotherhood"), a semantic fusion of Old English gegield "guild, brotherhood," and gield "service, offering; payment, tribute; compensation," from Proto-Germanic *geldja- "payment, contribution" (so

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