spiv
(Anglais)
- (Ireland, UK, historical) A smartly dressed person who trades in illicit, black-market or stolen goods, especially during World War II.
- (Ireland, UK, dated) A flashy con artist, often homeless, who lives by his wits.
- (Ireland, UK, dated) A low and common thief.
- (Ireland, UK, dated) A slacker; one who shirks responsibility.
Prononcé comme (IPA)
/spɪv/
Étymologie (Anglais)
Unknown. Perhaps from spiff, spiffy. Spiv was the nickname of Henry Bagster, a Londoner arrested a number of times in 1904-6 for activities as described below, and may have been the archetype. Also possibly from Romani spiv (“sparrow”), as active and opportunistic.
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