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Tout
I learned a new word last week. I thought I would share.
Here's the Webster's listing for tout:
a: one who solicits patronage
b: chiefly British : one who spies out racing information for betting
purposes
c : one who gives tips or solicits bets on a racehorse
It seems that in our context it is a derogatory term for scalpers. I have
never heard it used in the US. Of course, I have never been to a British
horse track.
I view it kind of like the US term "drug dealer" or the historical case of
the word usury. If a person's profiteering is their primary means of
financial support - they are doing something bad. If a person is using
their profiteering as a means to support their hobby - they are not so bad.
Context is everything here. Judging an action must be viewed in the context
of the person taking the action. Just my opinion.
Jeff
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