Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. (also deem, demier, dimer) a dime.

1915		Morn. Tulsa Dly World (OK) 13 June 19/3: Regime — Tea [sic] cents. Known also as a ‘dimer’.
1929		A.T. Rogers ‘Casual Obersver’ in Charlotte Obs. (NC) 10 Feb. n.p./6: ‘Run up a check for eighty nine slugs an en tryna tell me yez ain’t got a cryin’ deemer between yez’.
1933		Ersine Und. and Prison Sl. 31: deem, deemer, n. A ten-cent piece.
1946		J.E. Dadswell Hey, Sucker 87: A deemer is a dime.
1950		Goldin et al. DAUL 57/2: Demier, (’deemer’ or ‘dimer’) A dime; ten cents.
1960, 1975		Wentworth & Flexner DAS.
1987		W.T. Vollmann You Bright and Risen Angels (1988) 314: Here’s how we clean out their cush, their C-notes and megs, their deemers and crisp green bumblebees.

2. the number ten.

1960, 1975

Wentworth & Flexner DAS 144/1: deemer Ten.

3. one who tips a dime; a small tip.

1939		‘Hotel Sl.’ in AS XIV:3 Oct. 239/2: deemer One who tips a dime; a dime tip.
1960, 1975		Wentworth & Flexner DAS 144/1: deemer n. Any small gratuity or tip, whether a dime or not [...] One who gives a small tip; a cheapskate.