Cache-Control: public, max-age=1024000 Cant terms for Rogues
18th Century Thieves Cant
Rogues
Rogues : Animal Specialists
BUFE NABBERA dog stealer. CANT.1811
BUFF-KNAPPERa Dog-stealer, that trades in all Sorts of Dogs, selling them at a round Rate, and himself or Partner stealing them the first Opportunity.1737
BUFFERa Rogue that kills good sound Horses, only for their skins, by running a long wire into them, and sometimes knocking them on the Head.1737
BUFFEROne that steals and kills horses and dogs for their skins; also an inn-keeper: in Ireland it signifies a boxer.1811
DUNAKERa Stealer or Cows, or Calves, etc.1737
DUNAKERA stealer of cows and calves.1811
GOADSthose that wheedle in Chapmen for Horse-coursers.1737
GOADSThose who wheedle in chapmen for horse-dealers.1811
JINGLERSHorse-Coursers frequenting Country Fairs.1737
LOWING RIG Stealing oxen or cows.1811
NAPPERof Naps, a sheep-stealer.1737
NAPPER OF NAPSA sheep stealer. CANT.1811
PAD BORROWERSHorse stealers.1811
PRIG NAPPERa Horse-stealer; also a Thief Taker.1737
PRIGGERS OF PRANCERSHorse-stealers, who carry a Bridle in their Pockets, and a small pad Saddle in their Breeches.1737
PRIGGERS OF THE CACKLERSPoultry-stealers.1737
ROOST LAYStealing poultry.1811
Rogues : Beggars
ABRAM COVEA cant word among thieves, signifying a naked or poor man; also a lusty, strong rogue.1811
ABRAM MENPretended mad men.1811
ABRAM-COVEa lusty Rogue, with hardly any Cloaths on his Back: a Tatterdemallion1737
ABRAM-MENotherwise called Toms of Bedlam, shabby Beggars, patched and trickd up with Ribbons, Red-Tape, Fox-tails, Rags of various Colours; pretending to be besides themselves, to palliate their Thefts of Poultry, Linnen, etc. A sort of itinerant Hedge-Robbers, and Strippers of Children, etc.1737
AUTEM GOGLERSPretended French prophets. CANT.1811
AUTEM-GOGGLERSpretended French Prophets.1737
BLIND-HARPERSCanters, who counterfeit Blindness, strowl about with Harps, Fiddles, Bagpipes, etc. led by a Dog or Boy.1737
CADGETo beg. Cadge the swells; beg of the gentlemen.1811
CADGEto beg. The cadge is the game or profession of begging.1819
CADGE-GLOAKa beggar.1819
CANTING CREWBeggars, Gypsies.1737
CLAPPERDOGEONa Beggar born and bred.1737
CLAPPERDOGEONA beggar born. CANT.1811
COG A CLOUTor, Cog a Sneezer; Beg an Handkerchief, or Snuff box.1737
COG A DINNERto wheedle one out of a Dinner.1737
CRUISERSBeggars; Also Highway Spies, who traverse the Road, to give Intelligence of a Booty, etc1737
CRUISERSBeggars, or highway spies, who traverse the road, to give intelligence of a booty; also rogues ready to snap up any booty that may offer, like privateers or pirates on a cruise.1811
DOMERARS or DROMMERARSRogues, pretending to have had their Tongues cut out, or to be born Dumb and Deaf, who artificially turn their Tip of their Tongues into their Throat, and with a Stick making it bleed.1737
DROMMERARSSee Domerars.1737
DROMMERARSSee DOMMERER.1811
FERMERDY BEGGARSAll those who have not the sham sores or clymes.1811
FERMERLY-BEGGARSall those that have not the sham Sores or Cleymes.1737
FLYING CAMPSBeggars plying in Bodies at Funerals.1737
FLYING CAMPSBeggars plying in a body at funerals.1811
GAGGERSHigh and Low. Cheats, who by sham pretences, and wonderful stories of their sufferings, impose on the credulity of well meaning people. See RUM GAGGER.1811
KINCHIN-COVESlittle Children whose Parents are dead, having been Beggars; as also young Lads running from their Masters, who are first taught Canting, then Thieving.1737
KINCHIN-MORTSGirls of a Year or two old, whom the Morts (their Mothers) carry at their Backs in Slates (Sheets) and if they have no Children of thir own, they borrow or steal them from others1737
MAD TOMalias of Bedlam; otherwise called Abram-men.1737
MAD TOM, or TOM OF BEDLAM, otherwise an Abram MA rogue that counterfeits madness. CANT.1811
MASONS MAUNDA sham sore above the elbow, to counterfeit a broken arm by a fall from a scaffold.1811
MASONS MAWNDa Sham Sore above the Elbow; to counterfeit a broken Arm, by a Fall from a Scaffold.1737
MAUNDERSBeggars1737
MAUNDINGbegging.1737
NINNYa canting, whining Beggar; also a Fool.1737
PALLIARDSthose whose Fathers were Clapperdogeons, or born Beggars, and who themselves follow the same Trade. The Female sort of these Wretches frequently borrow Children if they have none of their own, and planting them about in Straw, draw the greater Pity from the Spectators, screwing their Faces to the moving Postures, and crying at Pleasure, and making the Children also cry by pinching them, or otherwise; mean time her Com rogue, the Male Palliard, lies bagging in the Fields, with Cleymes or artificial Sores, wh1737
PALLIARDSThose whose fathers were clapperdogens, or beggars born, and who themselves follow the same trade: the female sort beg with a number of children, borrowing them, if they have not a sufficient number of their own, and making them cry by pinching in order to excite charity; the males make artificial sores on different parts of their bodies, to move compassion.1811
RATTLING MUMPERSBeggars who ply coaches. CANT.1811
RATTLING-MUMPERSsuch as run after, or ply Coaches etc.1737
RAWHEAD AND BLOODY BONESA bull beggar, or scarechild, with which foolish nurses terrify crying brats.1811
RUM GAGGERSCheats who tell wonderful stories of their sufferings at sea, or when taken by the Algerines, CANT.1811
RUM MAWNDOne that counterfeits a fool. CANT1811
RUM-MAWNDone that counterfeits himself a Fool.1737
SALAMONthe Beggars Sacrament or Oath.1737
SALMON or SALAMONThe beggarssacrament or oath.1811
SOLDIERS MAWNDA pretended soldier, begging with a counterfeit wound, which he pretends to have received at some famous siege or battle.1811
STURDY BEGGARSThe fifth and last of the most ancient order of canters, beggars that rather demand than ask CANT.1811
TATTERDEMALIONA ragged fellow, whose clothes hang all in tatters.1811
TATTERDEMALLIONa tattered Beggar, sometimes half naked, with Design to move Charity, having better Cloaths at Home. in Tatters; in Rags. Tattered and Torn; rent and torn.1737
TOM OF BEDLAMthe same as Abram-Man. Which See.1737
TOM OF BEDLAMThe same as Abram man.1811
WHIP JACKSThe tenth order of the canting crew, rogues who having learned a few sea terms, beg with counterfeit passes, pretending to be sailors shipwrecked on the neighbouring coast, and on their way to the port from whence they sailed.1811
WHIP-JACKScounterfeit Mariners begging with false Passes, pretending Ship-wrecks, great Losses at Sea, narrow Escapes, etc. telling dismal Stories, having learnt Tar-Terms on purpose: but are meer Cheats, and will not stick to rob a Booth at a Fair, or an House in soem By-road. They often carry their Morts or Wenches, which the pretend to be their Wives, whom they miraculously saved in the Shipwreck, altho all their Children were drowned, the Ship splitting on a Rock near the Lands-End, with such like Forgeries.1737
WOLF IN THE BREASTAn extraordinary mode of imposition, sometimes practised in the country by strolling women, who have the knack of counterfeiting extreme pain, pretending to have a small animal called a wolf in their breasts, which is continually gnawing them.1811
Rogues : Beginners, Bunglers and Low Lifes
BLACK GUARDA shabby, mean fellow; a term said to be derived from a number of dirty, tattered roguish boys, who attended at the Horse Guards, and Parade in St. Jamess Park, to black the boots and shoes of the soldiers, or to do any other dirty offices. These, from their constant attendance about the time of guard mounting, were nick-named the black-guards.1811
BLACK-GUARDdirty, nasty, tatterred roguish Boys, that formerly were wont to attend at the Horse-Guards to wipe Shoes, and clean Boots.1737
BULLY-HUFFa poor sorry Rogue, that haunts Bawdy-houses, and pretends to get Money out of Gentlemen and others, rattling and swearing the Whore is his Wife.1737
DROMEDARYa heavy, bundling Thief or Rogue. A purple Dromedary; a Bungler or a dull Fellow at Thieving.1737
DROMEDARYA heavy, bungling thief or rogue. A purple dromedary; a bungler in the art and mystery of thieving. CANT.1811
ERIFFSRogues just initiated, and beginning to practice.1737
HEDGE-BIRDa scoundrel or sorry Fellow.1737
HEDGE-PRIESTa sorry hackney Underling, an Vagabond. See Patrico.1737
KIDDEYSYoung thieves.1811
QUEERE-DIVERa bungling Pick-pocket.1737
SCOUNDRELa Hedge bird or sorry Scab.1737
Rogues : Cheats and Sharpers
BEAU-TRAPSan Order of Villains, Genteel-dressed Sharpers, who lie in wait to insnare and draw in young Heirs, raw Country Squires and ignorant Fops.1737
BITEa Rogue, Sharper or Cheat; also a Womans Privities, as The Cull wapt the Morts Bite; i.e. The Fellow enjoyed the Woman briskly. Bite the Biter, rob the Rogue, sharp the Sharper, or Cheat the Cheater. Bite the Cully, put the Cheat on a silly Fellow. Bite the Roger, steal the Portmanteau. Bite the Wiper, steal the Handkerchief. He will not Bite or swallow the Bait; He wont be drawn in. To Bite on the Bit; To be pinched or reduced to hard Meat; a scanty or sorry sort of Living.1737
BITEA cheat; also a womans privities. The cull wapt the morts bite; the fellow enjoyed the wench heartily. Cant.1811
BULLY-TRAPa Trapan, a Sharper or Cheat.1737
CAPTAIN SHARPA cheating bully, or one in a set of gamblers, whose office is to bully any pigeon, who, suspecting roguery, refuses to pay what he has lost. CANT.1811
CAPTAIN-SHARPa great Cheat; also a huffing, yet sneaking, cowardly Bully.1737
CUNNING SHAVERA sharp fellow, one that trims close, i.e. cheats ingeniously.1811
CUNNING-SHAVERa sharp Fellow, one that sharps or shaves (as they call it) close.1737
DROP COVESPersons who practice the fraud of dropping a ring or other article, and picking it up before the person intended to be defrauded, they pretend that the thing is very valuable to induce their gull to lend them money, or to purchase the article. See FAWNY RIG, and MONEY DROPPERS.1811
DROP-COVEa sharp who practises the game of ring-dropping.1819
DUDDERS, or WHISPERING DUDDERSCheats who travel the country, pretending to sell smuggled goods: they accost their intended dupes in a whisper. The goods they have for sale are old shop-keepers, or damaged; purchased by them of large manufactories. See DUFFER.1811
DUFFERSCheats who ply in different parts of the town, particularly about Water-lane, opposite St. Clements church, in the Strand, and pretend to deal in smuggled goods, stopping all country people, or such as they think they can impose on; which they frequently do, by selling them Spital-fields goods at double their current price.1811
ELBOW SHAKERA gamester, one who rattles Saint Hughs bones, i.e. the dice.1811
ELBOW-SHAKERa Gamester or Sharper.1737
FOYSTa Cheat, a Rogue.1737
FOYSTA pickpocket, cheat, or rogue. See WOTTONS GANG.1811
GOLD DROPPERSSharpers who drop a piece of gold, which they pick up in the presence of some unexperienced person, for whom the trap is laid, this they pretend to have found, and, as he saw them pick it up, they invite him to a public house to partake of it: when there, two or three of their comrades drop in, as if by accident, and propose cards, or some other game, when they seldom fail of stripping their prey.1811
GOLD-DROPPERSSweetners, Cheats, Sharpers.1737
GULLa Cheat.1737
GULL-GROPERSa By-stander that lends Money to the Gamesters.1737
IMPOST TAKERSUsurers who attend the gaming-tables, and lend money at great premiums.1811
IMPOST-TAKERone that stands by, and lends Money to the Gamester at a very high Interest or Premium.1737
JACK IN A BOXa Sharper, or Cheat.1737
JACK IN A BOXA sharper,or cheat. A child in the mothers womb.1811
MACE COVEA swindler, a sharper, a cheat. On the mace; to live by swindling.1811
MACE-GLOAKa man who lives upon the mace.1819
MONEY DROPPERSCheats who drop money, which they pretend to find just before some country lad; and by way of giving him a share of their good luck, entice him into a public house, where they and their confederates cheat or rob him of what money he has about him.1811
NAPPERa Cheat, or Thief.1737
NAPPERThe head; also a cheat or thief.1811
NEEDLE POINTA sharper.1811
NEEDLE-POINTa Sharper.1737
NICKUMa Sharper, also a rooking Ale house or Inn-keeper,Vintner, or any Retailer.1737
NIPa Cheat.1737
NIPA cheat. Bung nipper; a cutpurse.1811
NOB-PITCHERSa general term for those sharpers who attend at fairs, races, &c., to take in the flats at prick in the garter, cups and balls, and other similar artifices.1819
QUEER PLUNGERSCheats who throw themselves into the water, in order that they may be taken up by their accomplices, who carry them to one of the houses appointed by the Humane Society for the recovery of drowned persons, where they are rewarded by the society with a guinea each; and the supposed drowned persons, pretending he was driven to that extremity by great necessity, also frequently sent away with a contribution in his pocket.1811
ROOKa Cheat a Knave. To Rook, To cheat or play the Knave.1737
ROOKA cheat: probably from the thievish disposition of the birds of that name. Also the cant name for a crow used in house-breaking. To rook; to cheat, particularly at play.1811
SETTERSor Setting-dogs; they that draw in Bubbles, for old Gamesters to rook; also a Serjeants Yeoman, or Bailiffs Follower, or Second. Also an Excise Officer.1737
SHARKA sharper: perhaps from his preying upon any one he can lay hold of. Also a custom-house officer, or tide-waiter. Sharks; the first order of pickpockets. BOW- STREET TERM, A.D. 1785.1811
SHARPSubtle, acute, quick-witted; also a sharper or cheat, in opposition to a flat, dupe, or gull. Sharps the word and quicks the motion with him; said of any one very attentive to his own interest, and apt to take all advantages. Sharp set; hungry.1811
SHARPa gambler, or person, professed in all the arts of play; a cheat, or swindler; any cross-cove, in general, is called a sharp, in opposition to a flat, or square-cove ; but this is only in a comparative sense in the course of conversation.1819
SHARPERa Cheat, one that lives by his Wits.1737
SHARPERA cheat, one that lives by his wits. Sharpers tools; a fool and false dice.1811
SHIFTINGShuffling. Tricking. Shifting cove; i.e. a person who lives by tricking.1811
SHURKa Shark or Sharper.1737
SNIPa Cheat; T snip, to cheat.1737
SWEETNERSGuinea-droppers, Cheats, Sharpers. To Sweeten; To decoy, draw in, and bute. To be sweet upon; To coax, wheedle,entice or allure.1737
SWEETNESSGuinea droppers, cheats, sharpers. To sweeten to decoy, or draw in. To be sweet upon; to coax, wheedle, court, or allure. He seemed sweet upon that wench; he seemed to court that girl.1811
SWINDLEROne who obtains goods on credit by false pretences, and sells them for ready money at any price, in order to make up a purse. This name is derived from the German word SCHWINDLIN, to totter, to be ready to fall; these arts being generally practised by persons on the totter, or just ready to break. The term SWINDLER has since been used to signify cheats of every kind.1811
TRAPANhe that draws in or wheedles a Cull, and Bites him. Trapannd; sharpd, ensnard.1737
WHEADLEa Sharper. To cut a Wheadle; to decoy, by Fawning and Insinuation.1737
WHEEDLEA sharper. To cut a wheedle; to decoy by fawning or insinuation. Cant.1811
Rogues : Counterfeiters and Coiners
BENE FEAKERS OF GYBESCounterfeiters of passes. Cant.1811
BENE FEARERSCounterfeiters of bills. Cant.1811
BENEFEAKERSCounterfeiters of Bills, Bonds, Notes, Receipts, etc.1737
BENEFEAKERS OF GYBESCounterfeiters of Passes.1737
BIT-FAKERa coiner. See Fake.1819
COUNTERFEIT CRANKA general cheat, assuming all sorts of characters; one conterfeiting the falling sickness.1811
COUNTERFEIT-CRANKa genteel Cheat, a Sham or Impostor, appearing in divers Shapes: one who sometimes counterfeits Mens hands, or forges Writings; at others personates other Men: is sometimes a Clipper or Coiner; at others a Dealer in Counterfeit Jewels. Sometimes a strowling Mountebank: To Day he is a Clergyman in Distress; to Morrow a reduced Gentleman.1737
FAKEMAN-CHARLEY; FAKEMENTAs to fake signifies to do any act, or make any thing, so the fakement means the act or thing alluded to, and on which your discourse turns ; consequently, any stranger unacquainted with your subject will not comprehend what is meant by the fakement; for instance, having recently been concerned with another in some robbery, and immediately separated, the latter taking the booty with him, on your next meeting you will inquire, what he has done with the fakement? meaning the article stolen, whether it was a pocket-book, piece of linen, or what not. Speaking of any stolen property which has a private mark, one will say, there is a fakeman-charley on it; a forgery which is well executed, is said to be a prime fakement; in a word, any thing is liable to be termed a fakement, or a fakeman-charley, provided the person you address knows to what you allude.1819
FAKEMENTA counterfeit signature. A forgery. Tell the macers to mind their fakements; desire the swindlers to be careful not to forge another persons signature.1811
FAMBLERSVillains that go up and down selling counterfeit rings, etc.1737
FRATERSsuch as beg with sham Patents or Briefs for Spitals, Prisons, Fires, Innundations, etc.1737
FRATERSVagabonds who beg with sham patents, or briefs, for hospitals, fires, inundations, &c.1811
GLIMMERERsuch as with sham Licences, pretend to Losses by Fire etc.1737
GLIMMERERSPersons begging with sham licences, pretending losses by fire.1811
JACKMENSee Jarkmen1737
JACKMENSee JARKMEN.1811
JARKE-MENThose who make Counterfeit Licences and Passes, and are well paid by the other Beggars for their Pains.1737
JARKMENThose, who fabricate counterfeit passes, licences, and certificates for beggars.1811
NIGGLERa Clipper.1737
QUEER BIT-MAKERSCoiners. CANT.1811
QUEER COLE FENCERA putter off, or utterer, of bad money.1811
QUEER COLE MAKERA maker of bad money.1811
QUEERE COLE-FENCERa Receiver and Putter off of false Money.1737
QUEERE COLE-MAKERa false Coiner.1737
SMASHERA person who lives by passing base coin. The cove was fined in the steel for smashing; the fellow was ordered to be imprisoned in the house of correction for uttering base coin.1811
SMASHERa man or woman who follows the game of smashing.1819
VOUCHERSthat put off false Money for sham Coiners. Also one that warrants Gagers or under Officers Accompts, either at the Excise Office; or elsewhere.1737
Rogues : Cutpurses and Pickpockets
ADAM TILERthe Comerade of a Pick pocket, who receives stollen Goods or Money, and scours off with them, Tip the coal to Adam Tiler; i.e. give the Money, Watch, etc. to a running Companion, that the Pick Pocket may have nothing found upon him, when he is apprehended.1737
ADAM TILERA pickpockets associate, who receives the stolen goods, and runs off with them. CANT.1811
AUTEM DIVERSPickpockets who practice in churches; also churchwardens and overseers of the poor. CANT.1811
AUTEM-DIVERSChurch-Pick-pockets; also Church-wardens, Overseers of the Poor.1737
BOUNG NIPPERA cut purse. CANT.--Formerly purses were worn at the girdle, from whence they were cut.1811
BULKan Assistant to a File or Pick-Pocket, who jostles a Person up against the Wall, while the other picks his Pocket.1737
BULK AND FILETwo pickpockets; the bulk jostles the party to be robbed, and the file does the business.1811
BUNG-NIPPERSCut purses, who with a short sharp Knife, and a horn Thumb, used to cut Purses. Since the wearing of Purses is out of Fashion, they are called Files or Pick-Pockets.1737
BUZ-COVE or BUZ-GLOAKa pickpocket; a person who is clever at this practice, is said to be a good buz.1819
BUZMANA pickpocket. CANT.1811
CLY-FAKERa pickpocket.1819
DIVERa Pick-pocket. See File.1737
DIVERA pickpocket; also one who lives in a cellar.1811
DUMMEEA pocket book. A dummee hunter. A pick-pocket, who lurks about to steal pocket books out of gentlemens pockets. Frisk the dummee of the screens; take all the bank notes out of the pocket book, ding the dummee, and bolt, they sing out beef. Throw away the pocket book, and run off, as they call out stop thief.1811
DUMMY-HUNTERSthieves who confine themselves to the practice of stealing gentlemen's pocketbooks, and think, or profess to think, it paltry to touch a clout, or other insignificant article ; this class of depredators traverse the principal streets of London, during the busy hours, and sometimes meet with valuable prizes.1819
FILEor Bungnipper; Pick-pockets, who generally go in Company with a Rogue, called a Bulk or Bulker, whose Business tis to jostle the Person against the Wall, while the File picks his Pocket; and generally gives it to an Adam-tiler, who scowers off with it1737
FILE, FILE CLOY, or BUNGNIPPERA pick pocket. To file; to rob or cheat. The file, or bungnipper, goes generally in company with two assistants, the adam tiler, and another called the bulk or bulker, Whose business it is to jostle the person they intend to rob, and push him against the wall, while the file picks his pocket, and givesthe booty to the adam tiler, who scours off with it. CANT.1811
FORKa Pick-pocket. Lets Fork him; Let us pick that Mans Pocket. It is done by thrusting the Fingers, strait, stiff, open and very quick into the Pocket, and so closing them, hook what can be held between them1737
FORKA pickpocket. Let us fork him; let us pick his pocket.--The newest and most dexterous way, which is, to thrust the fingers strait, stiff, open, and very quick, into the pocket, and so closing them, hook what can be held between them. N.B. This was taken from a book written many years ago: doubtless the art of picking pockets, like all others, must have been much improved since that time.1811
KNUCK; KNUCKLER or KNUCKL1NG-COVEa pickpocket, or person professed in the knuckling art.1819
KNUCKLESPickpockets who attend the avenues to public places to steal pocket-books, watches, &c. a superior kind of pickpockets. To knuckle to, to submit.1811
NYPPERA cut-purse: so called by one Wotton, who in the year 1585 kept an academy for the education and perfection of pickpockets and cut-purses: his school was near Billingsgate, London. As in the dress of ancient times many people wore their purses at their girdles, cutting them was a branch of the light-fingered art, which is now lost, though the name remains. Maitland, from Stow, gives the following account of this Wotton: This man was a gentleman born, and sometime a merchant of good credit, but fall1811
READER MERCHANTSPickpockets, chiefly young Jews, who ply about the Bank to steal the pocket-books of persons who have just received their dividends there.1811
READER-HUNTERSSee Dummy-hunters.1819
RUM DIVERA dextrous pickpocket. CANT.1811
RUM FILESee RUM DIVER.1811
RUM-DIVERa compleat or clever Pick-pocket, The same with Files or Bung-nippers. Which see.1737
RUM-FILEthe same as Rum-diver.1737
SHOULDER SHAMA partner to a file. See FILE.1811
SNATCH CLYA thief who snatches womens pockets.1811
TOPto top a clout or other article (among pickpockets) is to draw the corner or end of it to the top of a person's pocket, in readiness for shaking or drawing, that is, taking out, when a favourable moment occurs, which latter operation is frequently done by a second person. 1819
UNTHIMBLEto unthimble a man, is to rob, or otherwise deprive him of his watch.1819
UNTHIMBLEDhaving been divested of one's watch.1819
Rogues : Gypsies and Pirates
FAYTORSor FATORS; A kind of Gypsies, pretending to tell People their Fate or Destiny, or what they were born to.1737
FLIBUSTERSWest Indian Pirates, or Buckaneers, Free-booters.1737
GYPSIESThey endeavour to persuade the Ignorant, that they derive their Origin from the Egyptians, a People heretofore very famous for Astronomy, Natural Magick, the art of Divination, etc. and therefore are great Pretenders to Fortune-telling. To colour their Impostures, they artificially discolour their Faces, and rove up and down the Country in a Tatterdemalion Habit, deluding the ignorant Vulgar, and often stealing from them what is not too hot for their Fingers, or too heavy to carry off.1737
GYPSIESA set of vagrants, who, to the great disgrace of our police, are suffered to wander about the country. They pretend that they derive their origin from the ancient Egyptians, who were famous for their knowledge in astronomy and other sciences; and, under the pretence of fortune-telling, find means to rob or defraud the ignorant and superstitious. To colour their impostures, they artificially discolour their faces, and speak a kind of gibberish peculiar to themselves. They rove up and down the country in large companies, to the great terror of the farmers, from whose geese, turkeys, and fowls, they take very considerable contributions. When a fresh recruit is admitted into the fraternity, he is to take the following oath, administered by the principal maunder, after going through the annexed forms: First, a new name is given him by which he is ever after to be called; then standing up in the middle of the assembly, and directing his face to the dimber damber, or principal man of the gang, he repeats the following oath, which is dictated to him by some experienced member of the fraternity: I, Crank Cuffin, do swear to be a true brother, and that I will in all things obey the commands of the great tawney prince, and keep his counsel and not divulge the secrets of my brethren I will never leave nor forsake the company, but observe and keep all the times of appointment, either by day or by night, in every place whatever. I will not teach any one to cant, nor will I disclose any of our mysteries to them.I will take my princes part against all that shall oppose him, or any of us, according to the utmost of my ability; nor will I suffer him, or any one belongiug to us, to be abused by any strange abrams, rufflers, hookers, pailliards, swaddlers, Irish toyles, swigmen, whip jacks, jarkmen, bawdy baskets, dommerars, clapper dogeons, patricoes, or curtals; but will defend him, or them, as much as I can, against all other outliers whatever I will not conceal aught I win out of libkins or from the ruffmans, but will preserve it for the use of the company. Lastly, I will cleave to my doxy wap stiffly, and will bring her duds, marjery praters, goblers, grunting cheats, or tibs of the buttery, or any thing else I can come at, as winnings for her weppings. The canters have, it seems, a tradition, that from the three first articles of this oath, the first founders of a certain boastful, worshipful fraternity (who pretend to derive their origin from the earliest times) borrowed both the hint and form of their establishment; and that their pretended derivation from the first Adam is a forgery, it being only from the first Adam Tiler: see ADAM TILER At the admission of a new brother, a general stock is raised for booze, or drink, to make themselves merry on the occasion. As for peckage or eatables, they can procure without money; for while some are sent to break the ruffmans, or woods and bushes, for firing, others are detached to filch geese, chickens, hens, ducks (or mallards), and pigs. Their morts are their butchers, who presently make bloody work with what living things are brought them; and having made holes in the ground under some remote hedge in an obscure place, they make a fire and boil or broil their food; and when it is enough, fall to work tooth and nail: and having eaten more like beasts than men, they drink more like swine than human creatures, entertaining one another all the time with songs in the canting dialect. As they live, so they lie, together promiscuously, and know not how to claim a property either in their goods or children: and this general interest ties them more firmly together than if all their rags were twisted into ropes, to bind them indissolubly from a separation; which detestable union is farther consolidated by the above oath. They stroll up and down all summer-time in droves, and Dexterously pick pockets, while they are telling of fortunes; and the money, rings, silver thirribles, &c. which they get, are instantly conveyed from one hand to another, till the remotest person of the gang (who is not suspected because they come not near the person robbed) gets possession of it; so that, in the strictest search, it is impossible to recover it; while the wretches with imprecations, oaths, and protestations, disclaim the thievery. That by which they are said to get the most money, is, when young gentlewomen of good families and reputation have happened to be with child before marriage, a round sum is often bestowed among the gypsies, for some one mort to take the child; and as that is never heard of more by the true mother and family, so the disgrace is kept concealed from the world; and, if the child lives, it never knows its parents.1811
MOON MENGypsies.1811
MOON-MENGypsies.1737
ROMANYa gypsy; to patter romany, is to talk the gypsy flash.1819
ROVERSPyrates, Wanderers, Vagabonds.1737
ROVERSPirates, vagabonds.1811
Rogues : Highwaymen and Footpads
BANDITTIHighwaymen, Horse or Foot, now used for Rogues of any kind, but strictly Italian Rapparees.1737
BULLY RUFFIANSHighwaymen who attack passengers with paths and imprecations.1811
BULLY-RUFFINSHighway-men, or Foot Pads, who attack with Oaths and Curses, plunder without Mercy, and frequently murder without Necessity.1737
COLLECTORA highwayman.1811
COLTan Inn-keeper that lends a Horse to a Highway-man, or to Gentleman Beggars; also a Lad newly initiated into Roguery.1737
COLTOne who lets horses to highwaymen; also a boy newly initiated into roguery; a grand or petty juryman on his first assize. CANT.1811
FOOT PADS, or LOW PADSRogues who rob on foot.1811
FOOT-PADSor LOW Pads; a Crew of Villains, who rob on Foot, some of them using long Poles or Staves, with an Iron Hook at the End, with which they either pull Gentlemen from their Horses, or knock them down: At other Times, they skulk under Hedges or behind Banks in the Road, and suddenly starting out from their Covert, one seizes the Bridle, while the other dismounts the Passenger: and so rob, and often murder him.1737
HIGH PADA highwayman. CANT.1811
HIGH-PADSHightway-men or Bully-Ruffians; an Order of Villains, and the boldest of all others. Before they commence, they furnish themselves, with good Horses, Swords, Pistols, etc. and sometimes singly, but mostly in Company, commit their execrable Robberies. They have a Vizor-Mask, and two or three Perukes of different Colours and Make, the better to conceal themselves. When they meet a Prize upon the Road, they have a Watch-Word, among them, which is no sooner pronounced, but every one falls on. It is usually the 1737
HIGH-TOBY-GLOAKa highwayman.1819
KNIGHT OF THE ROADthe chief Highwayman, best mounted and armed, the stoutest Fellow among them.1737
KNIGHT OF THE ROADA highwayman.1811
LAND PIRATESHighwaymen.1811
LAND PYRATESHighwaymen or any other Robbers.1737
LOW PADa Foot-Pad.1737
LOW PADA footpad.1811
PADthe Highway; also a Robber thereon.1737
PADThe highway, or a robber thereon; also a bed. Footpads; foot robbers. To go out upon the pad; to go out in order to commit a robbery.1811
PICAROONA pirate; also a sharper.1811
RANK RIDERa Highwayman; also a Jockey.1737
RANK RIDERA highwayman.1811
RAPPAREESIrish robbers, or outlaws, who in the time of Oliver Cromwell were armed with short weapons, called in Irish RAPIERS, used for ripping persons up.1811
RECRUITING SERVICERobbing on the highway.1811
ROYAL SCAMPSHighwaymen who never rob any but rich persons, and that without ill treating them. See SCAMP.1811
RUM PADDERSHighwaymen well mounted and armed. CANT.1811
RUM-PADDERSthe better Sort of Highwaymen, well mounted and armed. See High Pad.1737
SCAMPA highwayman. Royal scamp: a highwayman who robs civilly. Royal foot scamp; a footpad who behaves in like manner.1811
SCAMP or SCAMPSMANa highwayman.1819
SNAFFLERA highwayman. Snaffler of prances; a horse stealer.1811
SPICE GLOAKa footpad robber.1819
TOBY-GILL or TOBY-MANproperly signifies a highwayman.1819
Rogues : Housebreakers
BUDGEalso RUNNER one that slips into an House in the Dark, and taking what comes next to Hand, marches off with it. If he meets with any body, he asks, if such a Gentleman or Woman be within; and is told, they know no such Person, he begs Pardon, and says, he was mistaken in the House, immediately marches off, and will not stay for a Reply. To Budge, also signifies to stir or move.1737
BUDGE, or SNEAKING BUDGEOne that slips into houses in the dark, to steal cloaks or other clothes. Also lambs fur formerly used for doctors robes, whence they were called budge doctors. Standing budge; a thiefs scout or spy.1811
CRACKSMANA house-breaker. The kiddy is a clever cracksman; the young fellow is a very expert house-breaker.1811
CRACKSMANa house-breaker.1819
DARKMANS BUDGEOne that slides into a house in the dark of the evening, and hides himself, in order to let some of the gang in at night to rob it.1811
DARKMANS-BUDGEone that slides into a House in the Dusk, to let in more Rogues to rob1737
DRAW LATCHESRobbers of houses whose doors are only fastened with latches. CANT.1811
DRAW-LATCHESRobbers of Houses that were fastened only by Latches.1737
GLAZIERone that creeps in at Casements, or unrips Glass-Windows to filch and steal.1737
GLAZIEROne who breaks windows and shew-glasses, to steal goods exposed for sale. Glaziers; eyes. CANT.-- Is your father a glazier; a question asked of a lad or young man, who stands between the speaker and the candle, or fire. If it is answered in the negative, the rejoinder is-- I wish he was, that he might make a window through your body, to enable us to see the fire or light.1811
GOLD-FINDERSEmptiers of Jakes or Houses of Office.1737
JUMPERSPersons who rob houses by getting in at the windows. Also a set of Methodists established in South Wales.1811
KATEa Pick-lock. Tis a Rum kate; She is a clever Pick-lock.1737
KATEA picklock. Tis a rum kate; it is a clever picklock. CANT.1811
KEN MILLER, or KEN CRACKERA housebreaker. CANT.1811
KEN-MILLERa House-breaker, who usually, by getting into an empty House, finds Means to enter into the Gutters of Houses inhabited, and so in at the Windows, etc.1737
MILL-KENa House-Breaker.1737
RUM DUBBERAn expert picklock.1811
RUM-DABBERan experiencd or expert Picker of Locks. The same with GILT, which see.1737
SCREWSMANa thief who goes out a screwing.1819
SNEAKHe goes upon the Sneak at Darkmans, He privately gets into Houses or Shops at Night and Steals undiscovered.1737
SNEAKA pilferer. Morning sneak; one who pilfers early in the morning, before it is light. Evening sneak; an evening pilferer. Upright sneak: one who steals pewter pots from the alehouse boys employed to collect them. To go upon the sneak; to steal into houses whose doors are carelessly left open. CANT.1811
SNUDGEone that lurks under a Bed, to watch an Opportunity to rob the House.1737
SNUDGEA thief who hides himself under a bed, in Order to rob the house.1811
Rogues : Leaders
ARCH DELL, or ARCH DOXYsignifies the same in rank among the female canters or gypsies.1811
ARCH ROGUE, DIMBER DAMBER UPRIGHT MANThe chief of a gang of thieves or gypsies.1811
ARCH-ROGUEthe Dimber-Damber Uprightman or Chief of a Gang; as Arch-Dell, or Arch-Doxy signifies the same Degree in Rank among the Female Canters and Gypsies.1737
CAPTAIM-TOMa Leader of the Mob; also the Mob itself.1737
CAPTAIN TOMThe leader of a mob; also the mob itself.1811
HEAD CULLY OF THE PASSor Passage Bank; the Top Tilter of that Gang, throughout the whole Army, who demands and receives Contribution from all the Pass-Banks in the Camp.1737
HEAD CULLY OF THE PASS, or PASSAGE BANKThe top tilter of that gang throughout the whole army, who demands and receives contribution from all the pass banks in the camp.1811
KING OF THE GYPSIESthe Captain, Chief, or Ringleader of the Gang, the Master of Misrule, otherwise called Uprightman. Vide Gypsies.1737
KING OF THE GYPSIESThe captain, chief, or ringleader of the gang of misrule: in the cant language called also the upright man.1811
OLLI COMPOLLIThe name of one of the principal rogues of the canting crew. CANT.1811
PRINCE PRIGa King of the Gypsies; also Top-Thief, or Receiver General.1737
PRINCE PRIGA king of the gypsies; also the head thief or receiver general.1811
UPRIGHT MANAn upright man signifies the chief or principal of a crew. The vilest, stoutest rogue in the pack is generally chosen to this post, and has the sole right to the first nights lodging with the dells, whoafterwards are used in common among the whole fraternity. He carries a short truncheon in his hand, which he calls his filchman, and has a larger share than ordinary in whatsoever is gotten in the society. He often travels in company with thirty or forty males and females, abram men, and others, over1811
UPRIGHT-MENAs, an Upright-man, signifies the chief or Principal of a Crew. The vilest stoutest Rogue in the Pack, is generally chosen to this Post, and he has the sole Right to the fist Nights Lodging with the Dells, who afterwards are used in common among the whole Fraternity. He carries a short Truncheon in his Hand, which he calls his Filchman, and has a larger Share than ordinary of whatsoever is gotten in the Society. He often travels in Company with 30 or 40 Males and Females, Abram-Men, and others, over whom h1737
Rogues : Murderers
BRAVOa mercenary Murderer, that will kill any body.1737
MILLERa Killer or Murderer.1737
MILLERA murderer.1811
Rogues : Other Specialists
AMUSERSwho were wont to have their Pockets filled with Dust, which they would throw into the Eyes of People they had a mind to rob, and so run away, while their Comerade, who followed them, under the Notion of pitying the half blinded Person, laid his Hand on whatever came next.1737
AMUSERSRogues who carried snuff or dust in their pockets, which they threw into the eyes of any person they intended to rob; and running away, their accomplices (pretending to assist and pity the half-blinded person) took that opportunity of plundering him.1811
ANGLERSalias HOOKERS; petty Thieves, who have a Stick with a Hook at the End, wherewith they pluck Things out of Windows, Grates, etc. Make ready your Angling Stick; a Word of Command used by these petty Villains, to get ready the Stick with which they perform their Pranks, and as a Signal of a Prey in Sight. In the Day-time they beg from House to House, to spy best where to plant their Designs, which at Night they put in Execution.1737
ANGLERSPilferers, or petty thieves, who, with a stick having a hook at the end, steal goods out of shop-windows, grates, &c.; also those who draw in or entice unwary persons to prick at the belt, or such like devices.1811
ARK RUFFIANSRogues who, in conjunction with watermen, robbed, and sometimes murdered, on the water, by picking a quarrel with the passengers in a boat, boarding it, plundering, stripping, and throwing them overboard, &c. A species of badger. CANT.1811
ARK-RUFFIANSRogues, who in Conjunction with Watermen, etc. rob and sometimes murder on the Water; by picking a Quarrel with the Passenger and then plundering, stripping and throwing him or her over board, etc. A Species of Badgers.1737
BADGERSa Crew of desperate Villains, who rob and kill near rivers, and then throw the dead bodies therein.1737
BADGERSA crew of desperate villains who robbed near rivers, into which they threw the bodies of those they murdered. Cant.1811
BAWDY BASKETThe twenty-third rank of canters, who carry pins, tape, ballads, and obscene books to sell, but live mostly by stealing. Cant.1811
BAWDY-BASKETSa sort of diminutive Pedlars, who sell Obscene Books, Pins, Tape, etc. but live more by pilfering and stealing.1737
BLOSSa Shop-lifter; also a Bullys pretended Wife, or Mistress, whom he guards, while she supports him; also a Whore.1737
BLOSS or BLOWENThe pretended wife of a bully, or shoplifter. Cant.1811
BOBa Shop-lifts Comerade, Assistant or Receiver. Bob also signifies Safety.1737
BOBA shoplifters assistant, or one that receives and carries off stolen goods. All is bob; all is safe. Cant.1811
BROOMSTICKSSee Queer Bail.1819
BULLY COCKOne who foments quarrels in order to rob the persons quarrelling.1811
BULLY-COCKa Hector or bravo sets on People to quarrel, pretending to be a Second to them; and then making Advantage of both.1737
CARRIERSa Set or Rogues, who are employd to look out, and whatch upon the Roads, at Inns, etc. in order to carry Information to their respective Gangs, of a Booty in Prospect.1737
CARRIERSA set of rogues who are employed to look out and watch upon the roads, at inns, &c. in order to carry information to their respective gangs, of a booty in prospect.1811
CLANK NAPPERa Silver-tankard Stealer. See Rumbubber.1737
CLANK NAPPERA silver tankard stealer. See RUM BUBBER.1811
CLOAK TWITCHERSRogues who lurk about the entrances into dark alleys, and bye-lanes, to snatch cloaks from the shoulders of passengers.1811
CLOAK-TWITCHERSVillains who lurk in by and dark Places, to snatch them off the Wearers Shoulders1737
CROSS-COVE or CROSS-MOLLISHERa man or woman who lives upon the cross.1819
CURTAILSwhose Practice is to cut off Pieces of Silk, Cloth, Linnen or Stuff, that hang out at the Shop-Windows of Mercers, Drapers, etc. as also sometimes the Tails of Womens Gowns, their Hoods, Scarves, Pinners, - if richly Lacd.1737
CURTAILSThieves who cut off pieces of stuff hanging out of shop windows, the tails of womens gowns, &c.; also, thieves wearing short jackets.1811
DRAGSMANa thief who follows the game of dragging.1819
DUBBERa Picker of Locks.1737
DUBBERA picker of locks. CANT.1811
EVES DROPPEROne that lurks about to rob hen-roosts; also a listener at doors and windows, to hear private conversation.1811
EVES-DROPPERone that lurks about to rob or steal.1737
FAGGERA little boy put in at a window to rob the house.1811
FILCHERSthe same with ANGLERS.1737
GILTor Rum dubber; a Picklock, so called from Gilt, or Key; may of them are so expert, that from a Church-Door, to the smallest Cabinet or Trunk they will find means to open it. They generally pretending Business of Secrecy, covet to go up Stairs with their Company, in a Publick-House or Tavern, and then prying about, open any Door, Trunk or Cabinet that they think will afford them Booty, and so march off.1737
GILT, or RUM DUBBERA thief who picks locks, so called from the gilt or picklock key: many of them are so expert, that, from the lock of a church door to that of the smallest cabinet, they will find means to open it; these go into reputable public houses, where, pretending business, they contrive to get into private rooms, up stairs, where they open any bureaus or trunks they happen to find there.1811
HEAVERSThieves who make it their business to steal tradesmens shop-books. CANT.1811
HEDGE CREEPERA robber of hedges.1811
HEDGE-CREEPERa Robber of Hedges.1737
HOOKERSSee Anglers.1737
HOOKERSSee ANGLERS.1811
IRISH TOYLESThieves who carry about pins, laces, and other pedlars wares, and under the pretence of offering their goods to sale, rob houses, or pilfer any thing they can lay hold of.1811
IRISH-TOYLESRogues etc. carrying Pins, Points, Laces, and such like Wares about, and, under pretence of selling them, commit Thefts and Robberies1737
KID LAYRogues who make it their business to defraud young apprentices, or errand-boys, of goods committed to their charge, by prevailing on them to execute some trifling message, pretending to take care of their parcels till they come back; these are, in cant terms, said to be on the kid lay.1811
KID-RIGmeeting a child in the streets who is going on some errand, and by a false, but well fabricated story, obtaining any parcel or goods it may be carrying ; this game is practised by two persons, who have each their respective parts to play, and even porters and other grown persons are sometimes defrauded of their load by this artifice. To kid a person out of any thing, is to obtain it from him by means of a false pretence, as that you were sent by a third person, &c.; such impositions are all generally termed the kid-rig.1819
KIDLAYSan Order of Rogues, who meeting a Youth with a Bundle or Parcel of Goods, wheedle him by fair Words, and whipping Six-pence into his Hand, to step on a short and sham Errand, in the mean Time run away with the Goods.1737
KIDNAPPERone that decoys or spirits (as it is commonly called) Children away, and sells them for the Plantations.1737
KIDNAPPEROriginally one who stole or decoyed children or apprentices from their parents or masters, to send them to the colonies; called also spiriting: but now used for all recruiting crimps for the kings troops, or those of the East India company, and agents for indenting servants for the plantations, &c.1811
KONOBLIN RIGStealing large pieces of coal from coalsheds.1811
LIFTSee SHOPLIFTER, &c.1811
LULLY TRIGGERS Thieves who steal wet linen. Cant.1811
MILL-DOLLan obsolete name for Bridewell house of correction, in Bridge-street, Blackfriars, London. 1819
PETER LAYRogues who follow petty Thefts; such as cutting Portmanteaus, etc. from behind Coaches, breaking Shop Glasses, etc.1737
PETER LAYThe department of stealing portmanteaus, trunks, &c.1811
PETER-HUNTINGtraversing the streets or roads for the purpose of cutting away trunks, &c., from travelling carriages; persons who follow this game, are from thence called peter-hunters, whereas the drag more properly applies to robbing carts or waggons.1819
PINCH-GLOAKa man who works upon the pinch.1819
PINCHERSRogues who, in changing money, by dexterity of hand frequently secrete two or three shillings out of the change of a guinea. This species of roguery is called the pinch, or pinching lay.1811
POULTERERA person that guts letters; i.e. opens them and secretes the money. The kiddey was topped for the poultry rig; the young fellow was hanged for secreting a letter and taking out the contents.1811
PUTTER UPthe projector or planner of a put-up affair, as a servant in a gentleman's family, who proposes to a gang of housebreakers the robbery of his master's house, and informs them where the plate, &c., is deposited, (instances of which are frequent in London) is termed the putter up, and usually shares equally in the booty with the parties executing, although the former may lie dormant, and take no part in the actual commission of the fact.1819
QUEER BAILInsolvent sharpers, who make a profession of bailing persons arrested: they are generally styled Jew bail, from that branch of business being chiefly carried on by the sons of Judah. The lowest sort of these, who borrow or hire clothes to appear in, are called Mounters, from their mounting particular dresses suitable to the occasion. CANT.1811
RED SAIL-YARD DOCKERSBuyers of stores stolen out of the royal yards and docks.1811
RINGING CASTORSsignifies frequenting churches and other public assemblies, for the purpose of changing hats, by taking away a good, and leaving a shabby one in its place ; a petty game now seldom practised.1819
RUFFLERSnotorious Rogues, who, under Pretence of being maimed Soldiers or Seamen, implore the Charity of well disposed Persons, and fail not to watch Opportunities either to steal, break open Houses, or even commit Murder.1737
RUFFLERSThe first rank of canters; also notorious rogues pretending to be maimed soldiers or sailors.1811
RUM BUBBERA dexterous fellow at stealing silver tankards from inns and taverns.1811
RUM-BUBBERa dexterous Fellow at stealing Silver Tankards from Publick Houses.1737
RUSHERSThieves who knock at the doors of great houses in London, in summer time, when the families are gone out of town, and on the door being opened by a woman, rush in and rob the house; also housebreakers who enter lone houses by force.1811
SHOP-LIFTone that Steals under pretence of cheapning.1737
SHOPLIFTEROne that steals whilst pretending to purchase goods in a shop.1811
SILK SNATCHERSa Set of Varlets, who snatch Hoods, Scarves, Handkerchiefs, or any Thing they can come at.1737
SILK SNATCHERSThieves who snatch hoods or bonnets from persons walking in the streets.1811
SKY FARMERSCheats who pretend they were farmers in the isle of Sky, or some other remote place, and were ruined by a flood, hurricane, or some such public calamity: or else called sky farmers from their farms being IN NUBIBUS, in the clouds.1811
SMUG LAYPersons who pretend to be smugglers of lace and valuable articles; these men borrow money of publicans by depositing these goods in their hands; they shortly decamp, and the publican discovers too late that he has been duped; and on opening the pretended treasure, he finds trifling articles of no value.1811
SNEAKING Budgeone that robs alone, and deals chiefly in petty Larcenies.1737
SNEAKING BUDGEOne that robs alone.1811
SNEAKSMANa man or boy who goes upon the sneak.1819
STROLLERSItinerants of different kinds. Strolling morts; beggars or pedlars pretending to be widows.1811
STROWLING-MORTSwho, pretending to be Widows, often travel the Countries, making Laces upon Yews, Beggars-tape, etc. Are light-fingerd, subtle, hypocritical, cruel, and often dangerous to meet, especially when a Ruffler is with them.1737
SUTLERhe that pockets up Gloves, Knives, Handkerchiefs, Snuff and Tobacco-boxes, and other lesser Moveables.1737
SUTRERA camp publican: also one that pilfers gloves, tobacco boxes, and such small moveables.1811
SWIG-MENcarrying small Haberdashery-Wares about, pretending to sell them, to colour their Roguery. Fellows crying Old Shoes, Boots, or brooms; and thos pretending to buy Old Suits, Hats or Cloaks, are also called Swig-Men, and oftentimes, if an Opportunity offers, make all Fish that comes to Net.1737
SWIGMENThieves who travel the country under colour of buying old shoes, old clothes, &c. or selling brooms, mops, &c. CANT.1811
TAYLE DRAWERSSword-Stealers. The same as Wiper-Drawers. He drew the Culls Tayle Rumly; He whipt away the Gentlemans Sword cleverly.1737
TINNY-HUNTERSpersons whose practice it is to attend fires, for the purpose of plundering the unfortunate sufferers, Under pretence of assisting them to remove their property.1819
WALKING POULTEREROne who steals fowls, and hawks them from door to door.1811
WATER SNEAKSMANA man who steals from ships or craft on the river.1811
WATER-PADone that robs Ships, Hoys, Lighters, Barges or Boats in the River of Thames. A sort of BADGERS. Which see.1737
WATERPADOne that robs ships in the river Thames.1811
WIPER DRAWERA pickpocket, one who steals handkerchiefs. He drew a broad, narrow, cam, or specked wiper; he picked a pocket of a broad, narrow, cambrick, or coloured handkerchief.1811
WIPER-DRAWERa Handkerchief-stealer. He drew a broad, narrow, cam, or speckd Wiper; He pickd Pockets of a broad, or narrow, Ghenting, Cambrick, or colourd Handkerchief.1737
Rogues : Other Terms
ANTIQUATEDan old Rogue, or one who has forgot, or left off his Trade of thieving, is said to be1737
BIRDS OF A FEATHERRogues of the same Gang.1737
BIRDS OF A FEATHERRogues of the same gang.1811
CLICKER[among the Canters.] He whom they intrust to divide their Spoils, and proportion to every one his Share.1737
FERRETa Pawn-broker, or Tradesman that sells Goods upn Trust at excessive Rates, and then hunts them, and often throws them into Goal, where they perish for his Debt.1737
FERRETA tradesman who sells goods to youug unthrift heirs, at excessive rates, and then continually duns them for the debt. To ferret; to search out or expel any one from his hiding-place, as a ferret drives out rabbits; also to cheat. Ferret-eyed; red-eyed: ferrets have red eyes.1811
KIDDYa thief of the lower order, who, when he is breeched, by a course of successful depredation, dresses in the extreme of vulgar gentility, and affects a knowingness in his air and conversation, which renders him in reality an object of ridicule ; such a one is pronounced by his associates of the same class, a flash-kiddy, or a rolling-kiddy. My kiddy is a familiar term used by these gentry in addressing each other.1819
LIGHT FINGERDThievish.1737
LIGHT-FINGEREDThievish, apt to pilfer.1811
MOON-CURSERa Link-boy, or one that, under Colour of lighting Men, (especially they who get in Drink, or have the Fields, or any uninhabited or By place, to go over) robs or leads them to a Gang of Rogues, that will do it for him.1737
NIGHT-WALKERa Bellman; also a light Woman; a Thief, a Rogue.1737
QUEERE BLUFFERa sneaking sharping, Cut-throat Ale-house Man or Inn-keeper.1737
SON OF MERCURYa Wit. Also a Thief.1737
Rogues : Perjurers
AFFIDAVIT MENKnights of the post, or false witnesses, said to attend Westminster Hall, and other courts of justice, ready to swear any thing for hire.1811
AFFIDAVIT-MENKnights of the Post: mercenary and abandoned Wretches, who used to frequent the Temple and other Inns of Court, in order to be in Readiness to swear any thing that was proposed to them.1737
CRUMPone that helps Sollicitors to Affidavit-Men.1737
CRUMPOne who helps solicitors to affidavit men, or false witnesses.--I wish you had, Mrs. Crump; a Gloucestershire saying, in answer to a wish for any thing; implying, you must not expect any assistance from the speaker. It is said to have originated from the following incident: One Mrs. Crump, the wife of a substantial farmer, dining with the old Lady Coventry, who was extremely deaf, said to one of the footmen, waiting at table, I wish I had a draught of small beer, her modesty not permitting her to d1811
DARK LANTHORNthe Servant or Agent that receives the Bribe (at Court).1737
KNIGHT OF THE POSTa mercenary common Swearer, a Prostitute to every Cause, an Irish Evidence.1737
KNIGHT OF THE POSTA false evidence, one that is ready to swear any thing for hire.1811
MEN OF STRAWHired bail, so called from having straw stuck in their shoes to distinguish them.1811
MOUNTERa man who lives by mounting, or perjury, who is always ready for a guinea or two to swear whatever is proposed to him.1819
Rogues : Receivers
FAMILY MANA thief or receiver of stolen goods.1811
FENCEis also a Receiver and Securer of Stollen Goods.1737
FENCEa receiver of stolen goods ; to fence any property, is to sell it to a receiver or other person.1819
FENCING-CULLYthe same.1737
LOCK ALL FASTone that buys and conceals stollen Goods.1737
Rogues : Related Terms
BLOW THE GAFFa person having any secret in his possession, or a knowledge of any thing injurious to another, when at last induced from revenge, or other motive, to tell it openly to the world and expose him publicly, is then said to have blown the gaff upon him.1819
CONKa thief who impeaches his accomplices ; a spy ; informer, or tell-tale. See Nose, and Wear It.1819
DUMMYa pocket-book ; a silly half-witted person.1819
LAGA man transported. The cove was lagged for a drag. The man was transported for stealing something out of a waggon.1811
NOSEA man who informs or turns kings evidence.1811
NOSEa thief who becomes an evidence against his accomplices; also, a person who seeing one or more suspicious characters in the streets, makes a point of watching them in order to frustrate any attempt they may make, or to cause their apprehension; also, a spy or informer of any description.1819
QUEER BIRDSRogues relieved from prison, and returned to their old trade.1811
QUEER-BAILPersons of no repute, hired to bail a prisoner in any bailable case ; these men are to be had in London for a trifling sum, and are called Broomsticks.1819
SPLITto split upon a person, or turn split, is synonymous with nosing, snitching, or turning nose. To split signifies generally to tell of any thing you hear, or see transacted.1819
Rogues : Rogues in General
CLOVESThieves, robbers, &c.1811
CLOWESRogues.1737
CLOWESRogues.1811
CLOYERSThieves, Robbers, Rogues.1737
DAMBERa Rascal. See Dimber1737
DAMBERA rascal. See DIMBER.1811
DIMBER DAMBERA top man, or prince, among the canting crew: also the chief rogue of the gang, or the completest cheat. CANT.1811
DIMBER-DAMBERa Top Man or Prince amongst the Canting Crew; also the chief Rogue of the Gang, or the compleatest Cheat.1737
DING-BOYa Rogue, a Hector, a Bully, a Sharper.1737
FAMILYthieves, sharpers and all others who get their living upon the cross, are comprehended under the title of "The family."1819
FAMILY-MAN or WOMANany person known or recognised as belonging to the family ; all such are termed family people.1819
FIDLAM BENGeneral thieves; called also St. Peters sons, having every finger a fish-hook. CANT.1811
FILCHING-COVEa Man-Thief.1737
FILCHING-MORTa Woman-Thief1737
FILEa person who has had a long course of experience in the arts of fraud, so as to have become an adept, is termed an old file upon the town ; so it is usual to say of a man who is extremely cunning, and not to be over-reached, that he is a deep file. File, in the old version of cant, signified a pickpocket, but the term is now obsolete.1819
FLASH-MOLLISHERa family-woman.1819
FREE BOOTERSLawless robbers and plunderers: originally soldiers who served without pay, for the privilege of plundering the enemy.1811
FREE-BOOTERSlawless Robbers, and Plunderers; also Soldiers serving for that Privilege without Pay, Inroaders.1737
JUDGEa family-man, whose talents and experience have rendered him a complete adept in his profession, and who acts witha systematic prudence on all occasions, is allowed to be, and called by his friends, a fine judge.1819
KINa Thief: Hes one of the Kin, let him pike; said of a Brother Rogue whom one of the Gang knows to be a Villain, tho not one of their own Crew.1737
LAND LOPERS, or LAND LUBBERSVagabonds lurking about the country who subsist by pilfering.1811
LAND-LOPERSor Land-lubbers; Vagabonds that beg and steal about the Country.1737
LOONa Lout. A false Loon, a true Scotch Man; or Knave of any Nation.1737
NEWGATE BIRDA thief or sharper, frequently caged in Newgate.1811
NIBBLERa pilferer or petty thief.1819
PRIGa Thief, a Cheat: also a nice, beauish, silly Fellow, is called a meer Prig.1737
PRIGA thief, a cheat: also a conceited coxcomical fellow.1811
PRIGA thief.1819
PRIG NAPPERA thief taker.1811
PRIGGERSThieves.1737
PRIGGERSThieves in general. Priggers of prancers; horse stealers. Priggers of cacklers: robbers of hen- roosts.1811
QUEER COVEA rogue. CANT.1811
QUEERE-COVEa Rogue.1737
QUIRE, or CHOIR BIRDA complete rogue, one that has sung in different choirs or cages, i.e. gaols. CANT.1811
RASCALA rogue or villain: a term borrowed from the chase; a rascal originally meaning a lean shabby deer, at the time of changing his horns, penis, &c. whence, in the vulgar acceptation, rascal is conceived to signify a man without genitals: the regular vulgar answer to this reproach, if uttered by a woman, is the offer of an ocular demonstration of the virility of the party so defamed. Some derive it from RASCAGLIONE, an Italian word signifying a man. without testicles, or an eunuch.1811
ROBERDS-MENmighty Thieves, like Robin Hood.1737
ROBERTS MENThe third old rank of the canting crew, mighty thieves, like Robin Hood.1811
ROGUEa name which includes all the other Denominations.1737
ROGUESThe fourth order of canters. A rogue in grain; a great rogue, also a corn chandler. A rogue in spirit; a distiller or brandy merchant.1811
ROYSTERA rude boisterous fellow; also a hound that opens on a false scent.1811
ROYSTERSrude roaring Rogues.1737
RUM COVEA dexterous or clever rogue.1811
RUM-COVEa great Rogue.1737
SCOUNDRELA man void of every principle of honour.1811
STROWLERSVagabonds, Itinerants, Men of no settled Abode, of a precarious Life, Wanderers of Fortune, such as Gypsies, Beggars, Pedlars, Hawkers, Mountebanks, Fidlers, Country-Players, Rope-dancers, Jugglers, Tumblers, Shewers of Tricks, and Raree-show-men.1737
SWADDLERSRogues, who, not content to rob and plunder, beat and barbarously abuse, andoften murder the Passengers. Hence, To seaddle; To beat lustily with a Cane, etc.1737
SWADDLERSThe tenth order of the canting tribe, who not only rob, but beat, and often murder passenges. CANT. Swaddlers is also the Irish name for methodist.1811
TARTARa notorious Rogue or Sharper, who sticks not to rob his Brother Rogue. Hence To catch a Tartar, is said, among the Canting Varlets, when a Rogue attacks one that he thinks a Passenger, but proves to be of this Clan of Villains, who in his Turn having overcome the Assailant, robs, plunders and binds him.1737
THATCH-GALLOWSA rogue, or man of bad character.1811
TORIESIrish Thieves or Rapparees.1737
TRADESMENThieves. Clever tradesmen; good thieves.1811
TYBURN BLOSSOMA young thief or pickpocket, who in time will ripen into fruit borne by the deadly never-green.1811
VAGRANTa wandering Rogue, a strolling Vagabond.1737
VARLETSnow Rogues, Rascals, etc. tho formerly Yeomens Servants.1737
VARLETSNow rogues and rascals, formerly yeomans servants.1811
WILD ROGUESsuch as are trained up from Children to Nim golden or silver Buttons off of Coats, to creep in at Cellar and Shop-windows, and to slip in at Doors behind People; also that have been whipt, burnt in the Fist, and often in Prison for Roguery.1737
WILD ROGUESRogues trained up to stealing from their cradles.1811
Rogues : Tools of the Trade
BESSBring Bess and Glym; i.e. Forget not the Instrument to break open the Dour, and the Dark Lanthorn.1737
BESS, or BETTYA small instrument used by house-breakers to force open doors. Bring bess and glym; bring the instrument to force the door, and the dark lantern. Small flasks, like those for Florence wine, are also called betties.1811
BETTYBESS; a small Engine to force open the Doors of Houses; Mill the Gig with your Betty; i.e. Break open the Door with your Instrument.1737
BETTYa picklock; to unbetty, or betty a lock, is to open or relock it, by means of the betty, so as to avoid subsequent detection.1819
BUFFERS-NABa Dogs Head, used in a counterfiet Seal to a false Pass.1737
CHARMA picklock. CANT.1811
CLEYMSSores without Pain, raised on Beggars Bodies, by their own Artifice and Cunning, (to move Charity) by bruising Crows-foot, Spearwort, and Salt together, and clapping them onthe Place, which frets the Skin; then with a Linnen Rag, which sticks close to it, they tear off the Skin, and strew on it a little Powderd rsnick, which makes it look angrily or ill-favouredly, as if it were a real Sore.1737
CRACKING TOOLSImplements of house-breaking, such as a crow, a center bit, false keys, &c.1811
DARKEEA dark lanthorn used by housebreakers. Stow the darkee, and bolt, the cove of the crib is fly; hide the dark lanthorn, and run away, the master of the house knows that we are here.1811
DARKYa dark lanthorn.1819
DUBa pick-lock Key.1737
DUBA picklock, or master-key. CANT.1811
DUBa key.1819
FILCHa Staff, with a Hole thro and a Spike at the Bottom, to pluck Cloaths from a Hedge or any thing out of a Casement.1737
FILCH, or FILELA beggars staff, with an iron hook at the end, to pluck clothes from an hedge, or any thing out of a casement. Filcher; the same as angler. Filching cove; a man thief. Filching mort; a woman thief.1811
FOOTMANS MAWNDan artificial Sore made with unslakd Lime, Soap, an the Rust of old Iron, on the Back of a Beggars Hand, as if hurt by the Bite or Kick of a Horse.1737
FOOTMANS MAWNDAn artificial sore made with unslaked lime, soap, and the rust of old iron, on the back of a beggars hand, as if hurt by the bite or kick of a horse.1811
FOSS or PHOSa phosphorus bottle used by cracksmen to obtain a light.1819
GAGAn instrument used chiefly by housebreakers and thieves, for propping open the mouth of a person robbed, thereby to prevent his calling out for assistance.1811
GAGAn instrument used chiefly by housebreakers and thieves, for propping open the mouth of a person robbed, thereby to prevent his calling out for assistance.1811
GINNYan Instrument to lift up a Grate, the better to steal what is in the Window.1737
GINNYAn instrument to lift up a great, in order to steal what is in the window. CANT.1811
GLIMor GLYM a Dark-Lanthorn used in robbing Houses; also to burn in the Hand as if the Cull was Glimmed, hell gang to the Nub; i.e. if the Fellow has been burnt in the Hand, hell be hanged now1737
GLIMA candle, or dark lantern, used in housebreaking; also fire. To glim; to burn in the hand. CANT.1811
GLIMa candle, or other light.1819
GUYA dark lanthorn: an allusion to Guy Faux, the principal actor in the gunpowder plot. Stow the guy: conceal the lanthorn.1811
JARKA seal.1811
JARKEa Seal.1737
JEMMYA crow. This instrument is much used by housebreakers.Sometimes called Jemmy Rook.1811
JEMMY or JAMESan iron-crow.1819
JENNYsee GINNY.1737
JENNYAn instrument for lifting up the grate or top of a show-glass, in order to rob it. CANT.1811
NIPPSthe Shears with which Money was wont to be clipt.1737
NIPPSThe sheers used in clipping money.1811
PETER-HUNTING-JEMMYa small iron crow, particularly adapted for breaking the patent chain, with which the luggage is of late years secured to gentlemen's carriages; and which, being of steel, case-hardened, is fallaciously supposed to be pcoof against the attempts of thieves.1819
PHOS BOTTLEA. bottle of phosphorus: used by housebreakers to light their lanthorns. Ding the phos; throw away the bottle of phosphorus.1811
PRANCERS NABa Horses Head, used in a sham Seal to such a Pass.1737
ROOKa small iron crow.1819
ROUND ABOUTAn instrument used in housebreaking. This instrument has not been long in use. It will cut a round piece about five inches in diameter out of a shutter or door.1811
SCREWA skeleton key used by housebreakers to open a lock. To stand on the screw signifies that a door is not bolted, but merely locked.1811
SCREWa skeleton or false key. To screw a place is to enter it by false keys ; this game is called the screw. Any robbery effected by such means is termed a screw.1819
SKEWa Beggars wooden Dish.1737
SKEWA cup, or beggars wooden dish.1811
SOULDIERS MAWNDa counterfeit Sore or Wound in the left Arm.1737
TOOLSimplements for house-breaking, picklocks, pistols, &c., are indiscriminately called the tools. A thief, convicted on the police act, of having illegal instruments or weapons about him, is said to be fined for the tools.1819
Rogues : Youngsters
LITTLE SNAKESMANA little boy who gets into a house through the sink-hole, and then opens the door for his accomplices: he is so called, from writhing and twisting like a snake, in order to work himself through the narrow passage.1811
SNAKESMANSee LITTLE SNAKESMAN.1811