General
the punters
What does the punters mean?
Members of the public, customers or the general crowd; 'punters out in full force' means a big turnout.
"The punters were out in full force for the market."
Origin
British and Australasian slang, from 'punter' (a gambler, then any customer/member of the public).
Frequently asked questions
What does 'the punters' mean?
It refers to ordinary members of the public, customers or the general crowd, for example the paying audience or shoppers at a market.
Where does the word 'punter' come from?
It originally meant a gambler or someone placing a bet, then broadened in British and Australasian slang to mean any customer or member of the public.
Does 'punter' always mean a gambler?
No. While it can still mean a bettor, in general usage 'the punters' simply means customers, the crowd or everyday people.
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