Early doors

[lankeela]

Where does this phrase come from (theatre?) and what does it actually mean? Have heard it used in the context of leaving something early and also arriving early, so which is it? Could it be confused with early bath, as in being sent off in rugby/football?

[Ethel]

Is this any use?

http://www.phrases.org.uk/bulletin_board/14/me ssages/634.html

Although in Birmingham and the Black Country, early doors was pub opening time for the evening session, when the pubs closed after lunch.