E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Buck-rider (A).
A dummy fare who enables a cabman to pass police-constables who prevent empty cabs loitering at places where cabs will be likely to be required, as at theatres, music-halls, and large hotels. A cabman who wants to get at such a place under hope of picking up a fare gives a “buck” a shilling to get into his cab that he may seem to have a fare, and so pass the police.
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“Constables are stationed at certain points to spot the professional ‘buck-riders.’”—Nineteenth Century (March, 1893, p. 576).
