Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1883-04-11
Thieves Slang.

Slang, which for the past two decades
has become SO prevalent among all
classes of American society, as to be re-
garded by foreigners as n national trait,
probably originated among thieves and
the lower strata of the community,
being handed from one class TO another,
uptil one will frequently hear ladies of
undoubted responsibility expressing
themselves in the language of a class
with whom they would not deign to
associate. Although slang found its
origin among thieves, professionals over
thirty years of age, except under certain
circumstances, rarely express themselves
through that medium, although perfectly
familiar with all the TECHNICAL terms.
Its use is chiefly confined to pickpockets,
sneak-thieves and younger criminals,
who seem to take great delight in mas
tering the language of their elders, and
familiarizing themselves with its use.
The current slang is fully understood by
all thieves, and a professional would
have no difficulty in conversing with
one of his craft, before a third and un-
initiated person in manner totally
unintelligible TO the listener.
A "night-worker" is a house-breaker;
a gopher man" is a safe robber or
burglar; a wire" tool or dip is a
pickpocket; ''moll-wire" is u person
who rebs women, only; and a 'bloke
buzzer' is thief who robs persons
while engaging them in conversation.
The term ''bloke' means male thief,
.moll" female thief, and "kid" small
child who is an adept in "the tricks OF
the trade
One of the most significant of all
thieves slang terms, is the " stall' as
the persons designated by that term are
the most dangerous of all who obtain q
livelihood by preying upon the crcdulous
and unsophsticated. The "stalr' is
either a well dressed man or woman,
seemingly above suspicion, who works
most clever robberies alone, or diverts
attention while other professional
ladies or gentlemen are at work. The
lady faints in crowd, or the gentleman
loudly declares that he has been robbed,
under the same circumstances, and dur
ing the excitement, occasioned by these
demonstrations the regular thieves
work" or pick the pockets of their
victims.
A plant is hidden plumber; "spring-
ing the plant is to dispose OF stolen
property after officers have abandoned
the case, by selling it TO ." fence" or
receiver of stolen goods. The main
guy has tumbied' means that the recog-
nized leader of party of country visitors
has become aware that thieves are fol-
lowing them " Stag his nibs' means
a. look at him. cady' is the term for
hat, and to ''tip or dash his cady' means
to jam the hat down over the victims
head, and while he is adjusting his holt,
to pick his pockets. g Nixy weeden
culr' means to stop talking thieves
slang, as detectives are about and will
overhear.
The "head worker" of gang of
thieves is often an apparently respect
able citizen, of good standing in social
| and commercial circles, who ascertains
where large sums of money are kept,
plans robbery, informs the second
man. who instructs the thieves, and at
the successful termination of the job re-
ceives his share of the proceeds. Cases
of this nature have been brought to
light during the past few years by detect
ives, many discoveries proving remark
able in themselves, because of the high
standing of the detected persons. 1t
would require a book as large as a school
dictionary, and as carefully compiled, to
convey an adequate idea of the wonder
full progress which this Language has
attained, and the ease with which
one of the "light-fngered gentry can
convey his ideas and instructions to q
confederate, without fear of being be-
trayed by being overheard is simply won
derful. If these people would study rs
faithfully to attain an education, where
by they might live honestly, as they dc
to understand 1.-The tricks of the trade"
their lives would be much happier, and
certainly more useful to themselves and
their fcllow-men. But this, it would ap.
pear, is almost too much TO expect, as
from time unknown, classes that live by
"ways that are dark have preyed upon
the law-abiding element of society, SC.
curing by strategy or force, the susie
nance for which they are too lazy OF in.
| 1:0ora,t 10 p,o,l, Raoyo, CJo..