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pros from dover

An American slang term for outside consultants who are brought into a business to troubleshoot and solve problems. The term comes from the 1968 book M*A*S*H by Richard Hooker. In the book, the character Hawkeye is described as using the guise of being the pro from Dover to obtain free entrance to golf courses:

"Hawkeye would walk confidently into a pro shop, smile, comment upon the nice condition of the course, explain that he was just passing through and that he was Joe, Dave or Jack Somebody, the pro from Dover. This resulted, about eight times out of ten, in an invitation to play for free. If forced into conversation, he became the pro from Dover, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Jersey, England, Ohio, Delaware, Tennessee, or Dover-Foxcroft, Maine, whichever seemed safest."

Later on in the book, when Hawkeye and fellow surgeon Trapper are called from Korea to Tokyo to perform surgery on a congressman's son, the following exchange takes place:

"'All right,' Trapper said. 'Somebody trot out the latest pictures of this kid with the shell fragment in his chest.'
No one moved.
'Snap it up!' yelled Hawkeye. 'We're the pros from Dover, and the last pictures we saw must be forty-eight hours old by now.'"

This latter exchange is repeated in the 1970 movie, but the term pros from Dover is not explained in the script. People who had seen the movie, but not read the book, started using the phrase to mean outside experts/consultants without understanding that Hawkeye was using the term facetiously, referring to an old con he used to run.
"Look, mother, I want to go to work in one hour. We are the Pros from Dover and we figure to crack this kid's chest and get out to golf course before it gets dark. So you go find the gas-passer and you have him pre-medicate this patient. Then bring me the latest pictures on him. The ones we saw must be 48 hours old by now. Then call the kitchen and have them rustle us up some lunch. Ham and eggs will all right. Steak would be even better. And then give me at least ONE nurse who knows how to work in close without getting her tits in my way."
by Shannon L.W. September 12, 2006
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pros only

An essential expression to note if you plan on staying on the internetz for more than 10 minutes. Used under, but by no means limited to 2 main cirumstances:

1. To express a situation in which can be handled by pros, only.

2. To display high regard for something, be it an object or an act of proness etc.
1. Noob: "0h hai, h0wz d0 i fly me a b0at?"
Pro: "umm, pros only tbh."

2. Jihad 1: "z0mgz t0okz out h3li with pistol kthx"
Jihad 2: "pros only"
by RoXoR January 8, 2009
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Related Words

pros and cons

What we've always had in the National Football League and every other Football league below that one. They like to shoot each other, shoot themselves, do ho's and drugs, murder, and fight dogs.
What ya mean you don't like Football anymore Tyrone?? What? You think those motherfuckers are shady? You know that there always be Pros and Cons in Football!
by Florida Sunshine November 14, 2009
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Pros only

A phrase that is unintentionally ironic and uttered by an insecure male after performing an action that is anything but professional or noteworthy
"Bro, I just bought some skim milk and skittles at the grocery store...pros only"
by Jaybone69 February 1, 2015
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Pros Ap

A young Rap artist from Downriver Michigan and is going to wake folks up soon.
by Donavan Gaines November 18, 2019
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nike pros

Nike pros are hot on any on guys, girls, and maybe even ur dog if a bitch got these on imma go crazy ahh (don’t where them if you don’t got a fatty)
Oh shit did you see natalie in them nike pros today? fineee
by GlizzyGladdiator4 November 28, 2020
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the pros and cons

The good and bad parts of a situation, or the reasons why you should or should not do something. This phrase comes from the Latin words 'pro', which means 'for' and 'contra' which means 'against'.
We've been discussing the pros and cons of buying a house.
by simo27 March 21, 2009
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