English

Adjective

on the side ‎(not comparable)

1. Separate from the main course.
   • 1945 June 4, Robert De Roos, “San Francisco Chef”, in Life, page 56:

     Shish kebab is skewered lamb with rice on the side.

   • 2004, Frédéric Couton, The Cannery Seafood House Cookbook, ISBN 978-1553650706, page 77:

     Stir sage and the remaining unsalted butter into the sauce and serve it in a bowl on the side.

2. Supplementary or in addition to one's usual job or income.
   • 1979 November 1, “Beef up your job to beat inflation”, in Kipplinger's Personal Finance, page 10:

     You don't want to jeopardize your primary source of income or any savings you've socked away in your effort to boost your earnings on the side.

3. Additional, surreptitious; often with a connotation of dishonesty, illegality or adultery.
   • 2009, Carl Weber, Up to No Good, ISBN 978-0758239983, page 158:

     I shouted to make sure she knew that I wasn't just some ho on the side. If anyone was on the side, it was her.

References

James A. H. Murray [et al.], editor (1884–1928) A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles (Oxford English Dictionary), London: Clarendon Press, OCLC 15566697; and The Oxford English Dictionary; being a Corrected Re-issue with an Introduction, Supplement, and Bibliography of A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles (the First Supplement), Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1933, OCLC 2748467.