English
Pronunciation
:Rhymes: Rhymes:English:-ɪv|-ɪv
Etymology
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.
Noun
en-noun
- context|UK|dated a smartly dressed person who trades in illicit, black-market or stolen goods
- context|UK|dated a flashy con artist, often homeless, who lives by his wits
- context|UK|dated in Scotland Yard usage, a low and common thief
- context|UK|dated a slacker; one who shirks responsibility
Synonyms
sharper
chiseler
wide boy
External links
"spiv" at ''World Wide Words'' Michael Quinion, 2001
vi:spiv
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