1 definition by bymidnight
The Oxford English Dictionary says out of pocket meaning "out of reach, absent, unavailable" dates back to the US of the early 20th century:
1908 ‘O. Henry’ Buried Treasure in Ainslee”s July 69/2 Just now she is out of pocket. And I shall find her as soon as I can.
1946 Sunday Times-Signal (Zanesville, Ohio) 12 May i. 7/1 They told citizens here that somebody was ‘out of pocket’ in Bowie and Miller counties the nights of the killings, and urged them to recall whether anyone they knew was missing on those dates.
1973 J. Peterson Sicilian Slaughter 53 Her hands shook as she dialed. But her connection was out of pocket.
1974 Anderson (S. Carolina) Independent 20 Apr. 1 a/1 If you have ever been sick and the only doctor is out of pocket for the weekend, then you know we need more doctors.
2002 A. Phillips Prague iii. viii. 229 Five-day weekend for me, Charlie, starting in eighteen minutes. I”ll be out of pocket until Tuesday.
1946 Sunday Times-Signal (Zanesville, Ohio) 12 May i. 7/1 They told citizens here that somebody was ‘out of pocket’ in Bowie and Miller counties the nights of the killings, and urged them to recall whether anyone they knew was missing on those dates.
1973 J. Peterson Sicilian Slaughter 53 Her hands shook as she dialed. But her connection was out of pocket.
1974 Anderson (S. Carolina) Independent 20 Apr. 1 a/1 If you have ever been sick and the only doctor is out of pocket for the weekend, then you know we need more doctors.
2002 A. Phillips Prague iii. viii. 229 Five-day weekend for me, Charlie, starting in eighteen minutes. I”ll be out of pocket until Tuesday.
by bymidnight March 4, 2016