English
Etymology
Originally a nickname given to smugglers in King George III's reign, derived from the smugglers' custom of hiding packages of valuables in their large sea-boots when dodging the king's coastguardsmen.

Noun
en-noun

1. an illegal trader of goods, especially of alcohol.

Translations

Finnish: salakauppias, trokari

ru:bootlegger
vi:bootlegger
zh:bootlegger

• 2007-02-23 16:27 - Hekaheka - /* English */ Edited definition: any trader of illegal goods may be called bootlegger, not just a smuggler.

Full Revision History