Spiv

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -ɪv

Origin

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.

Full definition of spiv

Noun

1. (British, dated) a smartly dressed person who trades in illicit, black-market or stolen goods
2. (British, dated) a flashy con artist, often homeless, who lives by his wits
3. (British, dated) in Scotland Yard usage, a low and common thief
4. (British, dated) a slacker; one who shirks responsibility

Synonyms

• sharper
• chiseler
• wide boy

Derived terms

• spivery (alt. spelling: spivvery)