Out of Pocket

 So, today is my birthday. We took the week off and drove to the Hill Country of Texas to enjoy the cooler weather and peaceful nature. Rudy, our FELV kitty, came to enjoy some private time with us- unshared with the other rescues.

I left an out-of-office message that I was "Out of Pocket" for the week and entrusted the department to my capable assistant director. This brings up my subject, out-of-pocket. I've heard that term many times and have even used it myself- I bet you have as well. But does anyone really know what the term means and its history? Of course, I had to look it up, hence the title and subject of today's blog.

The first time I heard this phrase, it was uttered by a radiologist in our mobile company back in the 90's. He used it each time he took off for vacation. I knew after the first time it meant he was not accessible via his cell. But I had yet to learn why it was termed out of pocket.

On my quest, I found two versions of this saying. A business answer, which is what I am used to, and a second slang reason for the phrase, which means "out of line," as in "he hit on his best friend's wife. That is out of pocket". The second meaning is based on playing pool. It concerns the ball going "out of the pocket," which is a bad deal if you have money or pride riding on the game.

However, today It's my birthday, and I choose to write about the business meaning of this term; it is my prerogative. After my research, this term is actually a journalism term from Texas. 

                               In the fast-waning newspaper office, the copy chief

                               sits in the crook of a horseshoe-shaped desk, surrounded

                               by...copy editors. This is the "pocket". To keep the flow

                               of proofread copy going, the chief must be "in pocket."

                               If he goes away for any length of time, he's "out of

                               pocket", unavailable, and things grind to a halt. This

                               became shortened to "out of pocket" on Telexes and faxes.

So, this originated in the newspaper trade, and today, it is used in business as unavailable or unreachable even via cell. I have the link where I found this information at the bottom of the blog. 

This week, I am "out of pocket" and relaxing. Just like Rudy.

I hope you enjoy your day,

  Larry

https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/articles/3-meanings-of-out-of-pocket/