Reverse Dictionary: THIEF

ADJECTIVES
► BORN ON NEWGATE-STEPS of thievish origin → 1902 sl. (Bk.)
► COLOUR-BLIND given to embezzlement or other thievery → 1943 US sl.
► FLASH relating to thieves, their habits, customs, lingo, etc. → 1782 sl.
► FURACIOUS inclined to steal; given to theft; thievish, pilfering → 1676 humorous usage
► FURTIVE thievish, pilfering → 1816
► FURTUOSE much given to theft or stealing → 1727 obs.
► LIGHT-FINGERED inclined to thievery → 1547 
► LONG-FINGERED thievish, given to stealing → 1915 Amer. dial.
► ON THE CREEP used of a thief who is working → 1996 UK sl.
► OUT ON THE NICK out thieving → 1902 sl (Bk.)
► PRIGGING thieving, pilfering → 1567
► PURSE-MILKING thieving, swindling → 1621 colloq., obs.
► SCADDLE wild, mischievous, unsteady; thievish, esp. used of a cat or dog → 1691 Eng. dial.
► SCALY miserly, stingy, mean; thievish, dishonest, tricky → 1851 Eng. dial.
► SCANDAL-PROOF applied to a professional thief hardened or past shame → L17 sl.
► SCATHY ravenous; mischievous; thievish → 1691 Eng. dial.
► SKADDLE wild, mischievous, unsteady; thievish, esp. used of a cat or dog → 1691 Eng. dial.
► TARRY thievish, inclined to steal → 1822
► TARRY-FINGERED thievish, inclined to steal, dishonest → 1825
► TARRY-FISTED thievish, inclined to steal, dishonest → 1906
► THEFTUOUS given to theft, thievish; dishonest; furtive, secret, sneaking → c1400 orig. Sc.
► THEFTY thievish → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► THIEFY thievish, thieving → 1898 Sc.
► THIEVELY thievish, dishonest → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► UNPALLED said of a thief whose gang has been arrested and is thus forced to work solo → E19 UK criminals’ sl.

ADVERBS
► AT THIEVES’ LAW after the manner of thieves → 1908 obs. (Bk.)

NOUNS
► ACADEMY 1. a thieves’ school or gang → 18C Eng. sl.
2. a gang of thieves → 1921 sl. (Bk.)
3. a rendezvous for thieves, harlots, or gamesters
► BIBLIOKLEPTOMANIA a kleptomania specializing in books → 1991 (Bk.)
► BOWMAN KEN a house occupied by thieves → L17 UK criminals’ sl.
► BUZZ NAPPER’S ACADEMY a school in which young thieves are trained to the art → 1890 sl. (Bk.)
► CANTING CREW the world of professional thieves and criminal mendicants → M16
► CLEPTOPHOBIA an abnormal fear of thieves or loss through thievery → 1991 (Bk.)
► DARK LANTERN a thief’s candle or light, made so it is possible to shut out the light when not needed → M19 sl.
► FAKING thieving → M19 UK criminals’ sl.
► FAMILY the thieving fraternity → 1749 sl.
► FAMILY, THE the underworld of thieves → L17 cant
► FAMILY PEOPLE the underworld of thieves, robbers → L18 cant
► FAM-RUST a lack of practice at thieving, esp. pickpocketing → M19 UK criminals’ sl.
► FLASH the lingo of thieves and their associates → 1718 sl.
► FLASH-CASE a house frequented by thieves, as a tavern, lodging-house, fence → 1893 sl. (Bk.)
► FLASH-CRIB a house frequented by thieves, as a tavern, lodging-house, fence → 1839 sl.
► FLASH-DRUM a house frequented by thieves, as a tavern, lodging-house, fence → 1893 sl. (Bk.)
► FLASH-GENTRY the swell mob or higher class of thieves →  1893 sl. (Bk.)
► FLASH-HOUSE a house frequented by thieves, as a tavern, lodging-house, fence → 1828 sl.
► FLASH-KEN a house frequented by thieves, as a tavern, lodging-house, fence → 1690 sl.
► FLASH-PANNY a house frequented by thieves, as a tavern, lodging-house, fence → 1893 sl. (Bk.)
► GUNNING thieving → 1868 criminals’ sl.
► HIGH LIVING esp. of a thief, living in a garret or cockloft, i.e. a very small room immediately above the garret → .L18 sl.
► KLEPTOPHOBIA an abnormal fear of thieves or loss through thievery → 1991 (Bk.)
► PRIGGING stealing, thieving; later, petty theft, pilfering → 1591 sl.
► PRIGGING LAW the occupation or practice of thieving → 1591 obs.
► PRIGGING LAY the occupation or practice of thieving → 1829 obs.
► PRIGGISM thievery as a profession or occupation → 1743
► PUSH a band or crowd of thieves; a gang of larrikins; an association of violent criminals → 1866 sl.
► THIEVES’ LATIN the secret language or ‘cant’ of thieves → 1821
► TREACLE PLASTER a sticky piece of brown paper used by a thief to remove glass carefully → 1920s UK criminals’ sl.

NOUNS – PERSON  (also see PICKPOCKET, ROBBER)
► AARON the leader of a gang of thieves → 1921 sl. (Bk.)
► ABACTER ► ABACTOR one that feloniously drives away or steals a herd or numbers of cattle at once, in distinction from one who steals a single beast or two → 1659 obs.
► ABADDON a treacherous thief; one who turns informer against his fellow-rogues → 1810 criminals’ sl.
► ABANDANA a petty thief, esp. one who pickpockets bandannas → 1930 criminals’ sl. obs.
► ABANDANAAD ~ ABANDANAD ► ABANDANNAD a handkerchief or bandanna thief; hence, a petty thief → 1864 cant
► ABAPTIST a thief → 19C sl.
► ABIGEUS a thief who has stolen cattle; an abactor → 1775 (Bk.)
► ABIGEVUS a thief who has stolen many cattle → 1726 (Bk.)
► ABRAHAM COVE a mean, beggarly, despised thief, or sneak → 1892 thieves’ sl. (Bk.)
► ABRAM-COVE a thief specializing in pocketbooks → L18 sl.
► ABRAM-MAN a thief specializing in pocketbooks → a1790 UK sl.
► ABRAM-MORT a thief specializing in pocketbooks → L18 sl.
► ACADEMICIAN a thief → 1921 sl. (Bk.)
► ACKMAN a sailors name for a freshwater thief, or one who steals on navigable rivers ..1823 UK criminals’ sl.
► ACK-PIRATE a sailor’s term for a freshwater thief, or one who steals on navigable rivers → 1883 (Bk.)
► ACK-RIFF a freshwater thief → 1900 criminals’ sl.
► ACKRUFF a river thief who robs and kills victims → 1900 criminals’ sl. obs.
► ACK RUFFIAN a thief who operates along the river → 1900 criminals’ sl. obs.
► ACQUISITIVE COVE a thief → 1904 sl. (Bk.)
► ADAM a thief’s accomplice → 1696 UK criminals’ sl.
► ADAM FILER a thief → 1909 sl. (Bk.)
► ANGLER a thief who uses a hook attached to a long rod to steal from otherwise inaccessible places; also, a pickpocket → 1567
► ARCH-COVE the leader of a gang of thieves → M19 UK criminals’ sl.
► ARCH-GONNOF the leader of a gang of thieves → M19 UK criminals’ sl.
► ARCH-ROGUE the leader of a gang of thieves → E17 sl.
► AREA DIVER a thief who specializes in robbing basements → 19C sl.
► AREA LURKER a thief who specializes in robbing basements → 19C sl.
► AREA SLUM a thief who specializes in robbing basements → 19C sl.
► AREA SNEAK a petty thief who gets into the lower floors of a house unobserved in order to commit petty theft → 1832 sl.
► ARK-MAN a river thief who specializes in robbing river traffic → E18 UK criminals’ sl.
► ARK-PIRATE a river thief → L18 UK criminals’ sl.
► ARK-RUFF a river thief → 18C UK criminals’ sl.
► ARK-RUFFIAN a river thief → 18C UK criminals’ sl.
► ARTFUL DODGER an expert thief → c1864 sl.
► BABE a thief → 19C
► BABY BURGLAR a young thief → 1996 Brit. sl.
► BACKER the accomplice of a woman who robs a client → c1920 Aust. cant
► BACK-JUMPER a thief who enters houses via a back door or window → L19 sl.
► BACKSTALL a member of a garrotting gang who keeps watch and provides physical assistance to the actual garrotter if necessary → 1863 UK criminals’ sl.
► BADGER a thief who specializes in robbery on the riverbank, after which he murders the victim and disposes of the corpse in the water → 1725 UK criminals’ sl.
► BADGER WORKER a blackmailer who plays the badger game → 1945 criminals’ sl.  (Bk.)
► BAGGAGE SMASHER one who steals unguarded luggage from railway stations; a baggage thief → 1841 sl.
► BAGGER a thief who specializes in stealing rings → 1909 sl.
► BAGMAN a sneak-thief → 1865 Aust. criminals’ sl.
► BAG-SNATCHER a thief who snatches bags → 1908
► BAG-THIEF a thief who specializes in stealing rings → 1909 sl.
► BALATRON ► BALLATRON a babbling, prating fellow; a vain talking fellow; a jester, a buffoon; a rascally base knave, a thief; a  contemptible fellow → 1623 obs.
► BALDOVER a thief → 1891 sl. (Bk.)
► BALL-BUSTER a thief who grabs his victim by the testicles while his accomplice takes his wallet → 1989 US criminals’ sl.
► BANDIT a derisory term for the small-time or unsuccessful thief → 2002 UK police sl. (Bk.)
► BANK SNEAK one of a gang of thieves who robs banks by stealth during business hours; a sneak thief who steals bonds or securities from banks → 1872 police & criminals’ sl.
► BARABAS a thief → 1891 sl. (Bk.)
► BARBER a thief→ 1945 Aust. criminals’ sl.
► BASEMAN the member of a gang of thieves who is adept at finding the least risky position for himself → 1992 criminals’ sl. (Bk.)
► BASH BOY the member of a smash-and-grab gang who actually breaks the shop window → 1935 UK criminals’ sl.
► BASHER the member of a smash-and-grab team who breaks the shop window → 1941 UK criminals’ sl.
► BASTER a house thief → 1881 Aust. & US sl.
► BEACHCOMBER a waterfront thief → 1890 criminals’ sl.
► BEAKER-HAULER a poultry thief, who hawks booty from door to door → 1891 sl. (Bk.)
► BEAKER-HUNTER a poultry thief → 1839 sl.
► BEAK-HUNTER a poultry thief → 1860 sl.
► BEEFEATER a cattle poacher → 1958 Amer. dial.
► BENDER a thief, a cheat → 1931 US criminals’ sl.
► BENJAMIN an overcoat thief → 1919 US sl.
► BEST HOLD CANNON an amateur thief → 1920 criminals’ sl., derogatory
► BIBLIOKLEPT a book thief → 1881
► BIBLIOKLEPTOMANIAC a book thief regarded as insane → 1881
► BILK a thief → 1891 sl. (Bk.)
► BILKER a thief → 1891 sl. (Bk.)
► BILLY BUZMAN a thief or pickpocket who confines his attention exclusively to silk handkerchiefs → 1888 UK thieves’ sl.
► BIPPER a thief who breaks into and robs houses while the occupants are asleep → 1966 US sl.
► BIRDLIME a thief; one to whom other people’s property sticks → 1705 UK sl.
► BITE a thief → 1891 sl. (Bk.)
► BITER a thief → 1995 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► BITER OF PETERS one who specializes in stealing trunks and boxes from the back of stagecoaches or carts → c1698 UK criminals’ sl.
► BLACK CAP the member of a gang of thieves who slyly elicits information from household servants about the household where they work and passes it on; he usually does not take part in the crime itself but receives his cut for supplying the information ..1899 UK criminals’ sl. obs.
► BLACK CAP AND WHITE SHEEP the member of a gang of thieves who slyly elicits information from household servants about the household where they work and passes it on; he usually does not take part in the crime itself but receives his cut for supplying the information ..1920 criminals’ sl. obs.
► BLACKLEG a thief → 1891 sl. (Bk.)
► BLAGGER one who blags, or robs, esp. a bank robber; a thief → 1938 sl.
► BLUDGER a violent thief or pimp who used a bludgeon as their weapon of choice → 19C sl.
► BLUEY-HUNTER a thief who specializes in stealing lead from the roofs of houses and other buildings → M19 sl.
► BOGART a thief → 1970 Amer. dial.
► BOMAN-PRIG a first-rate thief → E18 sl.
► BOOSTER a shoplifter, a thief who operates in merchandise stores in day-time → 1914 criminals’ sl. (Bk.)
► BOOST-UP BOY a thief → 1960s UK criminals’ sl.
► BOWERBIRD a compulsive hoarder; a person who collects ornaments, odds and ends, etc.; a petty thief → 1926
► BOWMAN a thief → E19 UK criminals’ sl.
► BOWMAN-PRIG a first-rate thief → E18 sl.
► BUDGE a sneak thief, esp. one who specializes in entering houses and taking furs, cloaks, and coats → 1673 sl. obs.
► BUFFER NAPPER a dog thief → 17C sl.
► BULKER a petty thief → 1673 sl. obs.
► BULLY-BUCK ► BULLY-COCK a thief who used violence to their advantage by deliberately causing fights between others, then robbed them during the confusion that followed → 18C sl.
► BUTTON-BUNG a button thief → 17C sl.
► BUZ ► BUZZ a thief → E18 sl.
► BUZZARD a second-rate thief; one who preys on women → 1910s US tramps’ sl.
► CABIN-CRACKER a thief breaking into a ship’s cabins → 1887 nautical sl.
► CADDEE a thief’s assistant → E19 sl.
► CADGER a beggar, a tramp, a scrounger, a loafer, a petty thief → 1737 Sc. & Eng. dial.
► CAFFREY a thief-catcher → M19 UK criminals’ sl.
► CANARY a thief’s female accomplice → M19 sl.
► CANARY-BIRD a thief’s female accomplice → M19 sl.
► CANTER a professional thief or criminal mendicant → M16 sl.
► CARNAPPER a person who habitually steals cars → 1984 UK sl.
► CAT AND KITTEN NIPPER a thief who specialized in thieving pewter tankard from taverns → 19C sl.
► CHICKEN-LIFTER a chicken thief; thus any petty thief → L19 US sl.
► CHICKEN SNATCHER a petty thief → 1910s Aust. sl.
► CHICKEN THIEF a petty thief → 1910s Aust. sl.
► CHOCHEM a thief, usually an intelligent one → 1963 S. Afr. criminals’ sl.
► CHOR a thief → 1997 Fiji
► CHORER a thief  → 1979 UK sl.
► CLINK-RIGGER one who steals tankards from taverns → M19 UK criminals’ sl.
► CLIP ARTIST a petty thief or swindler → 1941 US sl.
► CLOAK-TWITCHER a thief who stole cloaks by quickly pulling them from their owners’ backs → 18C UK criminals’ sl.
► COCUM ► COKUM ► KOCUM ► KOKUM a thief, usually an intelligent one → 1963 S. Afr. criminals’ sl.
► COON a thief → 1968 Amer. dial.
► COVER a confederate who screens the operations of a thief or pickpocket → 1819 thieves’ sl.
► CREEP 1. a thief who operates in hotels, entering unlocked rooms as the guests sleep → 1877 UK sl.
2. a stealthy robber; a sneak thief; a prostitute who steals from her clients while they are asleep or unconscious → 1914 sl., orig. US
► CREEPER a stealthy robber; a sneak thief; a prostitute who steals from her clients while they are asleep or unconscious → 1906 sl., orig. US
► CROOK a dishonest person, esp. a swindler or thief → colloq.
► CROOKED MAN a thief; a burglar → 1899 US tramps’ sl.
► CROW one who keeps watch while another steals → 1862 thieves’ sl.
► CUTPURSE one who steals by the method of cutting purses, a common practice when men wore their purses at their girdles; hence, a pickpocket, a thief, a robber → 1362
► DAME BUZZER a pickpocket or thief whose victims are mainly women → 1935 sl.
► DAMPER-GETTER a robber of tills; a thief of money drawers → 1904 US criminals’ sl.
► DAMPER-SNEAK a thief of safes → 1872 US criminals’ sl.
► DANCER a cat burglar; a sneak thief → 1864 UK sl.
► DANGLER a thief → 1920s US sl.
► DEAD LURKER a thief specializing in theft from quiet or semi-dark places → M19 UK criminals’ sl.
► DOCK WALLOPER a thief who steals cargo before it has been unloaded or passed through customs → 1986 US sl.
► DRAW-LATCH a thief who breaks into property by managing to lift up the latch of a door or window from the outside; a person who robs or steals in a sneaking manner → 1331 obs.
► DROMEDARY a thief, esp. an incompetent or novice one → L17 UK criminals’ sl.
► DRUMMER a thief who robs an unoccupied house → 1856 Brit. sl.
► DUNAKER a cattle thief → 1668 cant, obs.
► EGG-SUCKER a sneak-thief → 1976 Amer. dial.
► EGG-SUCKING DOG a sneak-thief → c1960 Amer. dial.
► ELEVATOR a hold-up man; a thief → 1914 US criminals’ sl.
► EVENING SNEAK a thief who works after dark → M18 UK criminals’ sl.
► EVESDROPPER a burglar who lurks outside a house waiting for the chance to break in while the owners are absent; thus, a petty thief → E18 sl.
► FACER a thief → 1891 sl. (Bk.)
► FAGGER a boy thief that, entering by a window, opens the door to his confederates or even hands the booty out to them → 17C sl.
► FAGIN a leader of thieves; a person who trains young boys to be thieves → 1905 sl.
► FAKE a thief; a swindler; a charlatan; a confidence trickster → 1881 Amer. sl.
► FAKER a thief → 1841 sl.
► FAKING-BOY a thief → M19 UK criminals’ sl.
► FAKING KID a thief → M19 UK criminals’ sl.
► FALL PARTNER one of a pair of thieves working together → 1950s US criminals’ sl.
► FAMILY MAN a man who is a professional criminal or a trusted associate of criminals; a member of the criminal fraternity; a thief → 1749 sl.
► FAMILY WOMAN a female member of the criminal fraternity; a thief → L18 sl.
► FANCY COVE a thief → c1838 sl.
► FEFF a thief → 1900 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► FIDLAM-BEN ► FIDLUM-BEN a petty thief; one who will grab anything, irrespective of its value → L18 UK crimnals’ sl.
► FIDLAM-BENS a thief who will take anything, even if it has very little value → 18C sl.
► FIDLAM-COVE a petty thief; one who will grab anything, irrespective of its value → L18 UK crimnals’ sl.
► FIGGER ► FIGURE a boy thief that, entering by a window, opens the door to his confederates or even hands the booty out to them → 1785 sl.
► FILCH a thief → c1770 sl.
► FILCHER a thief → M16 sl.
► FILCHING COVE a male thief → L17 sl.
► FILCHING MORT a female thief → L17 sl.
► FINDER a thief, esp. in a meat-market → c1850 cant
► FIVE FINGER a thief, esp. a pickpocket → 1932 US sl.
► FLASH-COMPANION a thief; a sharper → 1893 sl. (Bk.)
► FLASH-COVE a thief; a sharper → 1825
► FLASH-MAN a rogue, a thief; the landlord of a ‘flash-case’ → 1789 sl.
► FLEECY-CLAIMER one who stole sheep → 19C sl.
► FLY MAN an expert thief → 20C cant
► FRISKER a pickpocket, a petty thief → 1802 criminals’ sl.
► FUNK a sneak thief  → 1920s US tramps’ sl.
► FUNKER a petty or unskilful thief → 1797 criminals’ sl.
► FUR-TRAPPER a fur thief → 1954 US police sl.
► GAFFLER a business person; a thief → 2002 African-American sl.
► GALLEY-SHOVER a till-thief → 1895 Aust. criminals’ sl.
► GALLOWS a thief or pickpocket, or one who associates with them → c1595 UK sl.
► GALLOWS-BIRD a thief or pickpocket, or one who associates with them → c1786 UK sl.
► GALLOWS-FACE a thief or pickpocket, or one who associates with them → 1725 UK sl.
► GALLUS a thief or pickpocket or one who associates with them → c1595 sl. 
► GAME COVE an associate of thieves → 19C sl.
► GAMMON a thief’s or pickpocket’s accomplice who jostles the prospective victim that the actual thief can possess easily of his booty; a shoplifter’s accomplice → 1717 sl. & colloq. obs.
► GAMMONER a thief’s or pickpocket’s accomplice who distracts the victim while a crime is committed → 1795 sl. & colloq. obs.
► GANEF ► GANEV ► GANOF ►  GANOV a thief, a crook; an amateur pickpocket → 1839 criminals’ sl.
► GANK ARTIST a thief → 2012 African-American & criminals’ sl.
► GANKER a thief → 1987 African-American sl.
► GARRETEER ► GARRETER a thief who crawls over house-tops and breaks in through garret windows → 1864 UK criminals’ sl. (Bk.)
► GAS METER BANDIT a derisory term for a small-time thief; stealing from gas meters is considered a petty crime → 1968 criminals’ sl.
► GAY CAT a thief who only works when he needs money → 1926 US criminals’ sl.
► GAZLON a small-time thief, possible a timid one → 1977 UK criminals’ sl.
► GEACH ► GEICH a thief → 1821 Sc. thieves’ sl. obs.
► GEISTER an extra thief → 1798 US criminals’ sl.
► GENNAUF a thief, swindler, gangster, or pickpocket → 1839 criminals’ sl.
► GENTLEMAN OF THE SCAMP a highwayman; a thief → c1786 UK sl.
► GETABIT a thief → 1900 UK sl.
► GETAWAY the member of a gang of thieves who carries off the stolen goods → 1926 criminals’ sl.
► GETTER 1. a thief → 1512 criminals’ sl.
2. one who steals cheques → 1920 UK criminals’ sl.
3. a criminal who steals letters for forgery gangs → 1941 UK criminals’ sl.
► GIBBET-THIEF a thief who is hanged on a gibbet (a gallows) → 1700
► GILT a person who picks locks; a burglar or thief → 1620 sl. obs.
► GILT DUBBER a burglar or thief who is artful at picking locks → 1785 criminals’ sl.
► GILTER a person who picks locks; a burglar or thief; a housebreaker who uses a skeleton key → 1663 sl. obs. RARE
► GIP a thief → 1853 sl.
► GLAMMER a thief → 1925 US sl.
► GLASIER ► GLAZIER ► GLAZYER a thief who breaks into houses after removing an accessible window, or into shops by smashing the shop window → 1661 UK criminals’ sl., obs.
► GLAUMER a thief → 1925 US sl.
► GLAZIER one who smashes showcases and steals their contents → 1785 criminals’ sl. obs.
► GLEANER a thief → 1841 UK sl.
► GLIMMERER 1. a person, usually a woman, who gains entry to a house on the pretext of getting a light for the fire and, while inside, steals whatever she can → 1665 UK sl.
2. one who deliberately sets fire to a house, hoping to take advantage of the confusion in order to steal → 1688 UK sl.
► GLOMMER a purse-snatcher → 1942 Amer. sl.
► GON a professional thief, esp. a pickpocket → 1858 Amer. sl.
► GONIF ► GONNIF ► GUNNIF a thief, a crook → 1839 UK sl.
► GOPHER a boy thief → 1913 Amer. dial. (Bk.)
► GRABBER a thief → 1846 US criminals’ & police sl.
► GRAFTER a small-time criminal, such as a pickpocket or thief → 1866 US sl.
► GULLY-RAKER a cattle thief → 1847 Aust.
► GUMSHOE ARTIST a sneak thief, a street robber → L19 sl.
► GUMSHOE WORKER a sneak thief → 1900s US criminals’ sl.
► GUN a professional thief, esp. a pickpocket → 1858 Amer. sl.
► GUN MOLL an armed female thief or other criminal; the female companion of a male gunman or gangster → 1908 US sl.
► GUNNER a thief → 1889 sl. obs.
► GUNSMITH a thief → 1869 sl.
► GUTTER-PROWLER a street thief; a small-time thief → c1840 sl.
► GYP a thief or a swindler; one who charges an exorbitant price for goods or services; a cheat; a crook → 1728 sl., orig. criminals’ usage, sometimes offensive
► HAM STEALER a thief who steals to eat, rather than for profit → 1976 US sl.
► HAND-THIEF one who steals with the hands → 1899 Sc.
► HEALER one who hides or conceals anything; a receiver of stolen goods; a thief’s confederate → 1825 Eng. dial.
► HEDGE-CREEPER a vagrant; a thief; a peeping tom → obs.
► HEEL a sneak thief or pickpocket → 1914 US criminals’ sl., derogatory
► HEIST MAN a professional thief or hold-up man → 1930s US criminals’ sl.
► HEVETHEE a thief → L19 centre slang, created by rearranging the syllables or constituent parts of a word 
► HOLE-CREEPER a sneaking thief → 1462
► HOOK a thief or pickpocket; orig., someone who stole from a picket while the victim’s attention was distracted by someone else → 1863 sl.
► HOOKER a thief or pilferer; a pickpocket; a stealer of pocket-watches → 1567 sl.
► HOT SHORT HUSTLER an automobile thief → 1934 sl. (Bk.)
► HOT-STUFFER a thief → 1929 sl.
► HUSTLER one of a gang of pickpockets who takes part in hustling a person; also, a thief, a criminal; one who makes his living dishonestly or by begging; a pimp → 1825 sl.
► ICEMAN a thief specializing in the theft of diamonds → 1931 US criminals’ sl.
► IMPUDENT STEALER one who cuts out the back of a coach and takes things out of it → c1700 UK criminals’ sl.
► IN-AND-OUT MAN an opportunist thief or burglar → 1957 UK sl.
► INGLER a horse thief who toured country fairs looking for victims → 1825 thieves’ sl.
► IN THE BOOK a thief, esp. a pickpocket → 20C US rhyming sl. for ‘hook’ 
► JACK a mugger; a thief → 1920s US sl.
► JACKAL a steamboat thief, the thief who actually removes the booty → 19C US criminals’ sl.
► JACKER a street robber, a thief → 2000s sl.
► JACK-IN-A-BOX a sharper or cheat; a thief who deceived tradesmen by substituting empty boxes for others full of money → 1612 obs.
► JACK-IN-THE-BOX a sharper or cheat; a thief who deceived tradesmen by substituting empty boxes for others full of money → 1570 obs.
► JACOB a housebreaker or thief carrying a ladder → 1712 sl. obs.
► JANUSMUG a go-between; an intermediary between a thief and a receiver → 1859 Amer. thieves’ sl.
► JERRY-SNEAK a watch thief → 1896 thieves’ sl. (Bk.)
► JILTER a thief who uses a crowbar to break in → 1863 sl.
► KAE ► KAY a thievish, mischievous person → 1789 Sc.
► KEDGER a beggar, a tramp, a loafer, a petty thief → 1835 Eng. dial.
► KEY PICKER a thief who operates in hotels, stealing keys left at the front desk for safekeeping by guests before they are retrieved by a hotel clerk → 1954 US sl.
► KIDDY a flashy young man who is usually a rake or a thief → 1778 Amer. sl., orig. criminals’ usage
► KIN a thief → 18C UK criminals’ sl.
► KINK a thief, esp. an expert in stealing automobiles → 1914 Amer. sl.
► KLEP a thief → L19 sl.
► KLEPTO a kleptomaniac → 1958 sl.
► KNACKER a thief → 1990s UK juvenile sl.
► KNOCKER-OFF a thief → 1926 criminals’ sl.
► KNUCK a thief, a pickpocket → 1819 sl. obs.
► KWAY a general thief, with no real specialty → 1940s Aust. sl.
► LADRONE a highwayman, pirate, robber, thief (main usage in books on Spain or Spanish America) → 1832
► LADS OF THE VILLAGE thieves → E19 sl.
► LAND-PIRATE a highwayman; a wandering thief; a gypsy → 1609 sl.
► LARCENER one who commits larceny → 1634-5
► LARCENIST a larcener → 1803
► LARCIN one who commits larceny → 1596 obs.
► LASSONER a larcener, one who commits larceny → 1634-5
► LATCH-DRAWER one who draws or lifts the latch to enter for an unlawful purpose → 1393 obs.
► LIGHT HORSEMAN a thief operating as one of a gang on the Thames → 19C Brit. sl.
► LOB-CRAWLER a till-thief → 1887 thieves’ sl.
► LOBO CROOK a thief who steals alone → 1926 criminals’ sl. 
► LOB-SNEAK a thief who steals from cash registers → 1859 criminals’ sl. 
► LONE HAND a thief or criminal who works alone → 1926 US sl.
► LONG-FINGERED GENT a thief; a pickpocket → 1965 Amer. dial.
► LUMPER a river thief who skulked about ships, lighters, etc., stealing old iron, or whatever comes to hand → 1781 sl.
► LURCHER one who pilfers or filches in a mean fashion; a petty thief, a swindler, a rogue → 1528
► LURCH-MAN a pilferer → 1603 obs.
► LURKER a petty thief; a begging impostor → 1841
► LUSH-ROLLER a thief who robs drunken or unconscious persons → 1919 criminal & police sl.
► LUSH-TOUCHER a thief who robs drunken or unconscious persons → 1904 criminal & police sl.
► LUSH-WORKER a thief who robs drunken or unconscious persons → 1908 Amer. criminal & police sl.
► MACER a thief; a villain → L19 sl.
► MAG a street swindler or thief, esp. one who preys on gullible countrymen → M19 sl.
► MAGPIE a person who collects or hoards objects, information, esp., esp. indiscriminately; an acquisitive person; also, a petty pilferer → 1903
► MAGSMAN a street swindler or thief, esp. one who preys on gullible countrymen → M19 sl.
► MEECHER a sneak, a lurking thief → 1905 Eng. dial. (Bk.)
► MICHAAR ► MICHEAR ► MICHEER a thief → 1663 Ireland
► MIDNIGHT AUTO SERVICE car thieves → 1960s Amer. sl.
► MISSION-STIFF a petty thief → 1992 criminals’ sl.  (Bk.)
► MOCHER a petty thief → 1896 sl.
► MOKER ► MOKKER an amateur thief who spoils the market for the experienced pickpocket → 1926 criminals’ sl.
► MOLE someone who tunnels into a bank to rob it → 1931 US prison sl.
► MOLL a girlfriend; a sweetheart; spec. the girlfriend or female accomplice of a gangster or criminal; a female pickpocket or thief → 1823
► MOLL WORKER a pickpocket or thief whose victims are mainly women → 1925 criminals’ sl.
► MOLL-BUZZER a female pickpocket or beggar; a female thief → 1866 Amer. sl.
► MOLLER a thief specializing in pickpocketing women → 1859 criminals’ sl.
► MONDAY BOY a neighbourhood thief who steals laundry from clotheslines on the traditional Monday wash day → 1992 US criminals’ sl. (Bk.)
► MONDAY GIRL a neighbourhood thief who steals laundry from clotheslines on the traditional Monday wash day → 1988 US criminals’ sl. (Bk.)
► MONDAY MAN a neighbourhood thief who steals laundry from clotheslines on the traditional Monday wash day → 1975 US criminals’ sl. (Bk.)
► MONDAY WORKER a thief who steals from clotheslines → c1925 US criminals’ sl.
► MOOCH a street thief who specializes in snatching (drunken) men’s jewellery → 1950 US criminals’ sl.
► MOOCHER  an opportunist poacher or pilferer; a petty thief → a1425 chiefly colloq.
► MOONLIGHTER a thief or burglar who operates at night; in Ireland, usually a cattle thief → 1883 UK criminals’ sl.
► MOONMAN a person, esp. a criminal, who works at night; a robber, thief or highwayman who follows his vocation chiefly by moonlight → 1632 obs.
► MOON’S MAN a person, esp. a criminal, who works at night; a thief or highwayman → 1907 obs.
► MOOTCHER an opportunist poacher or pilferer; a petty thief → 1911 sl.
► MORNING SNEAK one who specializes in thieving early in the morning; one who stalks about the neighbourhood in the early morning hours → 1777 UK criminals’ sl. obs.
► MORNING-SNEAK COVE a male who practices ‘the morning sneak’ (thieving early in the morning) → 1821 UK criminals’ sl.
► MORNING-SNEAK COVESS a female who practices ‘the morning sneak’ (thieving early in the morning) → 1821 UK criminals’ sl.
► MOUCHARD a petty thief → 1877 UK sl.
► MOUCHER a person who loiters aimlessly; a loafer; also, an opportunist poacher or pilferer; a petty thief → a1425 chiefly colloq.
► MUSH a thief’s girlfriend → L18 US criminals’ sl.
► MUTCHER a thief who steals from drunks → 1861 sl.
► MUTTON DRIVER a sheep stealer → a1513 obs.
► MUTTON-MONGER a sheep stealer → 1698 sl. (Bk.)
► NABBER a thief → 1859 Amer. sl.
► NABBLER a thief → 1889 Sc. & Amer. (Bk.)
► NAILER a thief → 1902 sl. (Bk.)
► NAP a sheep-stealer → a1700 sl. obs.
► NAPKIN-SNATCHER a thief of handkerchiefs → 19C sl.
► NAPPER a thief → 1653 UK criminals’ sl.
► NAPPER OF NAPS a sheep thief → 1674 sl.
► NATTY a young thief or pickpocket → 1850 sl. (Bk.)
► NATTY KID a young thief or pickpocket → 1785 sl. (Bk.)
► NATTY-LAD a young thief or pickpocket → 1785 thieves’ sl. (Bk.)
► NECK-STRETCHER a thief → 1960 US sl.
► NEEDLE a sharper; a thief → 1821 sl.
► NEWGATE-BIRD a thief, a sharper, a jailbird → 1607 sl.
► NEWGATE-NIGHTINGALE 1. a thief, a sharper, a jailbird → c1531 sl.
2. a fledgling thief; a young criminal → 18C sl.
► NIBBING-CULL a petty thief or fraudulent dealer → 1775 sl.
► NIBBLE a petty thief → E19 sl.
► NIBBLER a petty thief → 1812 sl. (Bk.)
► NIBBLING CULL a petty thief → 1775 sl.
► NICKER a thief, a cheat, a confidence trickster → 1674 sl.
► NICK-POT a stealer of publican’s pots → 1602 sl.
► NIGHTCAP a thief who prefers to work at night → 1915 sl.
► NIGHT-HAWK a thief, esp. one who works at night → 1915 Aust. & US sl.
► NIGHT HUNTER a thief who prefers to work at night → 1915 sl.
► NIGHTMAN a thief who prefers to work at night rather than in the daytime → 1928 sl.
► NIGHT POACHER a thief who works at night → 1890 sl.
► NIGHT ROGUE a thief who prefers to work at night → 1620 sl.
► NIGHT SNEAK a thief who works after dark → M18 UK criminals’ sl.
► NIM a thief → 1630 sl.
► NIMMER a thief → 1608 sl.
► NIP a cut-purse → 1591 UK criminals’ sl.
► NIPPER a cut-purse or pickpocket → 1585 UK criminals’ sl.
► NIPPING CHRISTIAN a cut-purse, a pickpocket or thief → 1611 sl.
► OBSERVATIONIST one who spies out likely boot for thieves, generally a peddler, hawker, etc. → L19 cant
► OFFICE SNEAK one who enters and steals from an office or business, as coats, umbrellas, etc.
► OLD ABRAM a notorious thief → 1850 UK criminals’ sl.
► OLD BIRD an experienced thief → 1877 cant
► OPERATOR a thief, a swindler → 1709 sl.
► OWL a thief, esp. one who works at night → 1949 Aust. & US sl.
► PACK RAT a petty thief; a stranger; one who cannot be trusted → 1975 Amer. sl. (Bk.)
► PACKY a sneak thief who interrupts the work of people legitimately unloading goods and manages to steal some of the goods without being caught in the act → 1992 criminals’ sl.  (Bk.)
► PAD BORROWER a horse thief → 1785 UK sl.
► PAD-PRIGGER a horse thief → 1848 UK criminals’ sl.
► PALMER a thief that adroitly slips jewellery from the top of a showcase  into his pocket → 1859 US sl. 
► PANEL a thief, usually the accomplice of a prostitute, who takes advantage of her client’s preoccupation to rob him, using a special panel to enter the room → M19 sl.
► PANEL DODGER a thief, usually the accomplice of a prostitute, who takes advantage of her client’s preoccupation to rob him, using a special panel to enter the room → M19 sl.
► PANEL-THIEF a thief, usually the accomplice of a prostitute, who takes advantage of her client’s preoccupation to rob him, using a special panel to enter the room → 1860 sl.
► PANEL WORKER a thief, usually the accomplice of a prostitute, who takes advantage of her client’s preoccupation to rob him, using a special panel to enter the room → M19 sl.
► PARLOUR-JUMPER a common housebreaker → 1860 sl. 
► PATA-KYAT a thief → 1940s W. Indies sl. 
► PENNYWEIGHTER a jewellery thief → 1899 US sl.
► PICKER-UP a thief or a swindler ‘picking up’ an unwary person → 1812 sl., obs.
► PICK-UP MAN someone who steals luggage → 1928 sl.
► PIKER a petty thief → 14C sl.
► PINCHER a thief, esp. a shoplifter → 19C sl.
► PITCH-FINGERS a pilferer → 1840 colloq.
► PLANTER a person who steals and then hides cattle → 1890 Aust. sl.
► PODDY DODGER one who steals unbranded cattle; a cattle rustler → 1910s Aust. sl.
► POGE-HUNTER a thief specializing in the removal of purses → 1870 sl.
► POLECAT a thief → 1966 Amer. dial. 
► POLL-THIEF a thief; an informer → 1890 sl.
► POSSUM a thief → 1945 Aust. sl.
► PRACTITIONER a thief → M19 euphemism
► PRAD BORROWER a person who steals a horse, but sometimes returns him → L18 UK criminals’ sl.
► PRAD-NAPPER a horse thief → 18C sl.
► PRAD PRIGGER a horse thief → M16 UK criminals’ sl.
► PRAG a thief → L19 UK criminals’ sl.
► PRANCER a horse thief → M16 UK criminals’ sl.
► PRIG a thief; a petty thief → 1567 sl.
► PRIGGER a thief → 1567 sl.
► PRIGGER OF CACKLERS a chicken thief → L17 UK criminals’ sl.
► PRIGGER OF PAULFREYS a horse thief → M16 UK criminals’ sl.
► PRIGGER OF PRAINERS a horse thief → M16 UK criminals’ sl.
► PRIGGER OF PRANCERS a horse thief → M16 UK criminals’ sl.
► PRIGMAN a thief → 1567 hist.
► PRIG-NAPPER a horse thief → 1676 cant obs.
► PRIGSTER a thief, a pilferer → 1628 obs.
► PUGGARD a thief → 17C cant
► PULLER a sneak thief → 1984 US sl.
► PURSE-CARVER a thief who cuts purses in order to take their contents, a cutpurse → 1380 obs.
► PURSE-CUTTER a thief who cuts purses in order to take their contents, a cutpurse → 1500
► PURSE-EMPTIER a thief → 1611 obs.
► PURSEPICK a thief who picks purses → 1513 orig. Sc.
► PURSE-PICKER a thief who picks purses → 1549 orig. Sc.
► PURSE-TAKER a thief who deprives people of their purses → 1594
► PUSS a thief → 1950s sl.
► QUEER PRANCER a cowardly horse thief → 18C sl.
► QUEER THIEF OF THE WORLD, THE a thief, a rogue → 1896 Ireland
► RACKET DUDE a thief; a racketeer → 1992 criminals’ sl. (Bk.)
► RACKET MAN a thief, usually of noisy items such as chickens → c1850 criminals’ sl. obs.
► RADAR a petty thief; someone who will ‘pick up anything’ → 1989 Aust. sl.
► RAFFLES a gentleman or society thief, esp. a burglar → 19C sl.
► RAILBIRD in American casinos: a thief who steals chips from inattentive gamblers → 1985 US sl.
► RAILFIELD a thief who simply grabs shop merchandise and runs from the shop → 1960 US sl.
► RAMRAIDER one who steals from shops by smashing a stolen car into the shop-front, then driving away with the car filled with loot → 1991 sl.
► RAMRODDER one who steals from shops by smashing a stolen car into the shop-front, then driving away with the car filled with loot → 1990s sl.
► RANDY a thief → 1811 Sc. & Eng. dial.
► RATTLER GRAB a thief specializing in freight wagons → 1920 US criminals’ sl.
► READER a small-time thief who follows postmen or delivery men to their destination, having sneaked a look at the label, then claims to be the official recipient → 1920s US criminals’ sl.
► READER-HUNTER a thief who stole pocket books → 17C sl.
► REAVER a robber, a plunderer; esp. a border thief → 1678 Sc. & Eng. dial.
► RIFLER a horse-stealer → L16 sl.
► RIVER-RAT a riverside thief; one who robs the corpses of drowned men → 1903 sl.
► SAFE in a pickpocketing team: the thief who takes the wallet or object stolen by the wire and leaves the scene with it → 1954 US sl.
► SAINT GILES BUZZMAN a petty thief who goes after men’s and women’s handkerchiefs → 1992 Brit. & US criminals’ sl. obs. (Bk.)
► SAINT PETER’S SON a thief → 1903 sl. (Bk.)
► SAINT PETER’S SONS thieves, from the way they ‘hook’ or ‘angle’ → 18C sl.
► SANDBAGGER a street robber, a ‘mugger’ → L19 US sl.
► SANDBAG MAN a common thief employing a bag of sand to knock down and disable his victim → 1919 Aust. criminals’ sl. 
► SANDMAN a footpad, a ‘mugger’ → 1910s Aust. sl.
► SANTAR the member of a team of parcel thieves who actually removes the stolen goods and takes them to a hideout → L16 sl.
► SATYR ‘Men living wild in the Fields, that keep their Holds and Dwellings in the Country and forsaken Places, stealing Horses, Kine, Sheep, and all other sort of Cattle’; a cattle-thief; a horse thief → 1714 criminals’ sl. obs.
► SAWNEY-HUNTER ► SAWNY-HUNTER one who steals bacon or cheese from grocers’ shops; a bacon thief→ 1856 sl. 
► SCAB a thief → 2003 UK teen sl. 
► SCALER a thief, a fraud, a swindler; in NZ, esp. one who decamps with his mates’ share of the loot → c1920 Aust. & NZ colloq.
► SCAMP a thief → 1818 UK criminals’ sl.
► SCOW-BANKER a sneak, a thief, a rascal → 1863 Eng. dial.
► SCREWER a thief or housebreaker → 1932 sl.
► SCREWSMAN a thief or housebreaker → 1812 sl.
► SCRUMPER one who steals apples from orchards → 1946 UK sl.
► SENTER the member of a team of parcel thieves who actually removes the stolen goods and takes them to a hideout → L16 sl.
► SHEEP-BITER a shifty, sneaking, or thievish fellow → a1616 obs.
► SHITTER a thief who likes to excrete inside the places he robs → 1970s UK criminals’ sl.
► SILKO a thug; a thief → 2000s Irish sl.
► SILK-SNATCHER 1. a thief who grabs the bonnets and hats from pedestrians → E18 sl.
2. a thief who specialized in stealing cloaks by twitching them from the wearer’s back → M18 UK criminals’ sl.
► SKIN a thief → 1967 Amer. dial.
► SNAPHANCE an armed robber or marauder; a freebooter or highwayman; a thief or desperate fellow → 1538 obs.
► SNATCHER a thief → 1965 US sl.
► SNICK FADGER a small-time thief → 19C sl.
► SNITCHER a petty thief → 1930s sl.
► SNOOZER a thief who robs hotel guests → 1945 US Western sl. (Bk.)
► SNUDGE a thief who first enters a house, then hides, and emerges when the coast is clear to effect the robbery → 1676 cant obs.
► SPARK GRAFTER a jewel thief → 1902 US criminals’ sl.
► SQUAREHEAD a sham thief → 1892 Aust. sl. (Bk.)
► ST. PETER’S CHILDREN petty thieves who take anything they can lay their hands on → 18C sl.
► ST. PETER’S SONS petty thieves who take anything they can lay their hands on → 18C sl.
► STAIR DANCER a thief who steals from open buildings → 1958 sl.
► SUCK-EGG DOG a sneak-thief → c1960 Amer. dial.
► SWYGMAN a wandering thief who posed as a peddler → 16C sl.
► TAIL-BUZZER a thief who specializes in the picking of coat pockets → M19 UK criminals’ sl.
► TAIL-DIP a thief who specializes in the picking of coat pockets → 1851 UK criminals’ sl.
► TAIL-DIVER a pickpocket specializing in removing snuff-boxes, purses, pocketbooks, etc. from gentlemen’s coat pockets → 1859 UK criminals’ sl.
► TAIL DRAWER a sword-stealer, one who takes gentlemen’s swords from their sides → 1698 UK criminals’ sl. obs.
► TAKE a thief; a villain, esp. a cheat at cards → 1968 Aust. sl.
► TAKE-DOWN a deceiver or cheat; a thief; a swindler; a confidence man → 1926 Aust. sl.  
► TAKE-OFF ARTIST a thief → 1995 Amer. criminals’ sl. (Bk.)
► TAKER one who takes something from another by force or wrongfully; a robber, a thief, a plunderer, a pilferer → 1500-20
► TANK MAN a person who specializes in stealing from safes → 2002 Aust. prison sl. (Bk.)
► TAR a thief, a ‘tar finger’ → 1992 sl. (Bk.)
► TAR-FINGERS a petty pilferer → 1903 sl. (Bk.)
► TAR-HEEL a thief, esp. a sneak thief → 1925 US criminals’ sl.
► TARRY-FINGERS a person given to stealing, a petty thief → 1808 Sc.
► TARRY-NEIVE a person given to stealing, a petty thief → 1810 Sc. 
► TARTAR a strolling vagabond, a tramp, a thief, beggar → 1598 cant obs.
► TARTARIAN a thief → 1608 cant
► TAYLE DRAWERS sword stealers → 1737 criminals’ sl. (Bk.)
► TEA-LEAF a small-time thief → 1890 criminals’ rhyming sl.
► TEA-POT SOAK a thief who sells teapots and other related items → 1930 UK criminals’ sl. obs.
► TEAR-PLACKET a cutpurse; a pickpocket or thief → c1600 obs.
► THIEF-ANIMAL a term of opprobrium for a thievish person → 1897 Sc.
► THIEF-LOON a thief, a thievish rascal → 1898 Sc.
► THIEF-RIEVER a thief, a thievish rascal → 1905 Sc. (Bk.)
► TIER-RANGER a (Thames) river thief → 1858
► TILE an audacious thief; a mischievous person, esp. applied to young people → 1905 Eng. dial.  (Bk.)
► TILL-TAPPER one who steals from a till → 1893
► TINKER a vagabond, a tramp; a reputed thief → 1561 obs.
► TINNY a thief → 1930s US criminals’ sl.
► TINNY-HUNTER a thief who robs people whose homes are burning down, while pretending to give assistance → L18 sl.
► TOLLER a horse-stealer → L16 sl.
► TOSHER a man who steals copper sheathing from ships’ bottoms or from dockyard stores → 1892 nautical sl. (Bk.)
► TOY GETTER a thief of pocket watches → 19C sl.
► TWOCKER a car thief, esp. one who steals for the purpose of joy-riding → 1990 UK sl., orig. police usage
► TYBURN BLOSSOM a young thief or pickpocket, ‘who in time will ripen into fruit borne by the deadly never-green’ → 1796 sl.
► UNICORN two men and one woman, or two women and one man banded together to steal → 1859 US criminals’ sl.
► UPRIGHT SNEAK one who steals pewter pots from the boys employed by taverns to collect them → 1781 UK criminals’ sl. obs.
► VALENTINO a thief who victimizes women → 1992 criminals’ sl. obs. (Bk.)
► VAMPER a thief’s accomplice who starts a saloon brawl with a victim who has a valuable watch or ring; during the fight, the thief removes the watch from the distracted owner → 1836 criminals’ sl. obs.
► VAMPIRE a thief, esp. one who deliberately starts fights between others in order to rob them in the confusion → 1864 sl.
► VAN-DRAGGER a thief who steals goods from the back of carts, vans, or trucks → 1926 criminals’ sl.
► VARLETS thieves → 18C Brit. criminals’ sl. obs.
► VILLAGE BUTLER ‘old thieves, that would rather steal a dishclout than discontinue the practice of thieving’ → L18 sl.
► WADDIE ► WADDY a cattle rustler → 1897 US sl.
► WAGON LAYER a thief who commits the wagon lay (the nighttime practice of lying in wait for passing wagons from which to steal goods or merchandise) → 1708 UK criminals’ sl. 
► WALK-IN a thief who steals from unlocked hotel rooms → 1954 US sl.
► WALKING POULTERER a thief who steals chickens and then sells them door-to-door → 1788 criminals’ sl.
► WANDEROO the member of a gang of thieves that cases or studies the layout of the bank to be burglarized before the crime is committed → 1925 US criminals’ sl. 
► WARP ► WARPE ► WARPER the member of a curbing team who acts as lookout while the ‘curber’ or hooker, steals items of clothing from open windows; he also conceals the stolen merchandise under his coat while the ‘curber’ seeks additional items → 1592 criminals’ sl.
► WELL-FAKED CLAW an experienced thief who is successful in grabbing and stealing items by hand → 1839 literary usage 
► WESTERN GUY an out-of-town thief → 1930s US criminals’ sl.
► WHARF-RAT anyone who hangs about wharfs, looking out for an opportunity to steal from a cargo → M19 sl. orig. US
► WINDOW-CRASHER a thief who utilized the smash-and-grab robbery technique → 1992 US criminals’ sl. (Bk.)
► WIPER-DRAWER a handkerchief-stealer → 1737 sl. (Bk.)
► WORM-WORKER a thief who specializes in stealing silk → 1910s US criminals’ sl.
► YEGG a criminal, esp. a burglar or safecracker; an itinerant thief → 1903 US sl.
► YEGGMAN a thief, a burglar or safe-breaker → 1906 US
► ZIFF a juvenile thief → 1846 UK criminals’ sl.

NOUNS – PERSON – OTHER
► BACKSTALL a thief’s accomplice → 19C UK criminals’ sl.
► BIRD DOG 1. a contact man for stock and bond thieves → 1931 US criminals’ sl.
2. a reconnoiterer of thieves; a locater of thieves → 1945 criminals’ sl.  (Bk.)
► CROW a person who keeps watch while another steals → 1862 thieves’ sl.
► DABBLER one who associates with thieves → M19 US criminals’ sl.
► DARKMAN’S BUDGE a thief’s accomplice, who climbs into a house through a window and opens a door to admit the rest of the gang → L17 UK criminals’ sl.
► GAMMONER a thief’s accomplice who distracts the victim while a crime is committed → 1795 sl., obs.
► MOLLISHER a thief’s mistress; a wife → 1812 sl.
► MONISHER ► MONNISHER the girlfriend of a thief or criminal → 1765 sl.
► NASTYMAN a thief’s assistant → 1891 UK criminals’ sl.
► OUTSIDE PAL a lookout for a gang of thieves → 1859 UK criminals’ sl.
► PHILIPER ► PHILIPPER a thief’s accomplice → 1860 sl., obs.
► PUSHING TOUT a thief’s watchman or scout → E18 UK criminals’ sl.
► ROARER a thug who acted as an accomplice to thieves → 17C sl.

PHRASES
► AT THE PINCH working as a thief, esp. petty theft from shops carried out during a purchase, giving short change or passing counterfeit money in exchange for goods → L18 sl.
► HE’S SUCH AN OLD THIEF, HE’D ROB JESUS CHRIST OF HIS SHOE-STRINGS said of a notorious thief → Bk1905 Eng. dial.

VERBS
► BE ON THE CROSS to be a thief, to live by stealing → 1862 sl.
► CHAUNT THE PLAY to expose and/or explain the ways and tricks of thieves → c1845 cant
► CREEP to work as a sneak-thief → 1928 US sl.
► LATROCINATE to rob, to play the thief → 1623 obs.
► NIBBLE to steal, to work as a petty thief → E19 sl.
► NIP to cut a purse or pick a pocket → 1592 UK criminals’ sl.
► PAD ► PAD IT to travel as tramp, thief, vagrant, or prostitute → E17 sl.
► PATTER FLASH to talk in thieves’ lingo → 1827 sl.
► PUT UP THE DOOKS to thieve, esp. to pickpocket (dook = hand) → M19 sl.
► SHAKE THE CROSS to give up thieving → 1883 sl.
► WORK THE RATTLE to operate, as a professional thief, on the trains → c1890 UK sl.