Noun: a friend who is usually only called upon by a friend when a more primary/prominent friend is unavailable.
Taken from the term “second string” in an athletic competition situation. In
football, if the star quarterback gets injured during a
play, the second string is called off the bench to replace him/her. A “Second String Friend” is essentially benched until needed, if ever.
Synonyms: Plan
B, Second Choice, Secondary Friend, Benched Until Needed
I got a call from X the other night. She had an extra
ticket to a concert she bought for a friend, but they couldn’t make it so she called me to
ask if I wanted to
go because I am her Second String Friend.