visiting fireman

American  

noun

Informal.

1. an influential person accorded special treatment while visiting an organization, industry, city, etc.

2. a visitor, as a tourist or vacationer, in a city, presumed to be a big spender.

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visiting fireman British  

noun

1. informal a visitor whose presence is noticed because he is an important figure, a lavish spender, etc

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Etymology

Origin of visiting fireman

First recorded in 1935–40

Example Sentences

Yet everybody kept some sort of records, or had things in their homes that were not shown to visiting firemen.

From Project Gutenberg