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spiv - What does it mean?

Definition of 'spiv'

English

(wikipedia)

Noun

(en-noun)
  • (British|dated) A smartly dressed person who trades in illicit, black-market or stolen goods.
  • (British|dated) A flashy con artist, often homeless, who lives by his wits.
  • (British|dated) In Scotland Yard usage, a low and common thief.
  • (British|dated) A slacker; one who shirks responsibility.
  • Synonyms

    * (l) * (l) * (l)

    Derived terms

    * (l), (l)

    Quotations

    * "I make no apology for attacking spivs and gamblers who did more harm to the British economy than [transport union leader] Bob Crow could achieve in his wildest Trotskyite fantasies, while paying themselves outrageous bonuses underwritten by the taxpayer." -- on the banking system." Cable in attack on bonuses for City 'spivs'", Gavin Stamp, BBC News, 2010-09-22

    References