An individual who is expected but fails to appear, such as an airline passenger, invited party guest, or the like. The term dates from the first half of the 1900s and has become a cliché. It has also been extended to describe a paid position for which no work, or even attendance, is expected. Thus Time referred to “fictitious ‘no-shows’ or ‘ghost’ workers on the Schiavone payroll” (November 28, 1983). But the more common usage appears in the University of New Mexico’s student health rules, “There is a $20 no-show/late cancellation fee,” or the CBS News announcement, “Fidel Castro No-Show at Revolution Anniversary Rally” (July 26, 2010).