ˈtrain-spotter
[train n.1 16.]
One (esp. a small boy) whose hobby is observing trains and recording railway locomotive numbers. Hence ˈtrain-spotting vbl. n.; ˈtrain-spot v. intr.
| 1958 Spectator 11 July 70/3 A prize of six guineas is offered for a Train Spotters' Anthem. Ibid. 1 Aug. 179/1 Many of them must simply spend their time train-spotting. 1959 Manch. Guardian 22 July 2/6 British Railways..announced a ban on train-spotting..on about twelve main-line stations. 1969 Times 1 Nov. (Saturday Rev. Suppl.) p. iii/4 A train-spotting recluse, primed with exact information on lines that have rusted into the ground. 1974 P. McCutchan Coach North ii. 15 ‘I reckon you're all past train spotting.’.. The old man didn't look as though he'd ever train spotted. 1978 D. Williams Treasure up in Smoke xiv. 126 The Governor appeared to have graduated from train-spotter to Lord Protector in one short morning. |
______________________________
Add: b. Also transf. (freq. derog.), a person who enthusiastically studies the minutiae of any subject; a collector of trivial information.
| 1989 Q Dec. 55/1 Dedicated dance persons—‘trainspotters’ as they will allow themselves to be called in lighter moments—at first sequestered themselves in the world of rare grooves. 1992 Face Feb. 15/1 Containing over 3,000 entries.., and spanning 600 pages, this should settle a good few of those arguments about who starred in what and when. Not just for film train-spotters. 1993 Ibid. Apr. 32/2 Is Levi's new fine Bedford cord range as good as its original Cord of way back when? Or is it only trainspotters that can tell the difference? |