Bilk

/bɪlk/ verb

Definition

To cheat or defraud someone out of money or something valuable by deceiving them.

Etymology

Origin uncertain, possibly from obsolete English or Scandinavian roots. Some scholars suggest it may relate to Middle English or dialectal words meaning to cheat or swindle. The term became common in English by the 18th century.

Kelly Says

Bilk became really popular slang in the 1800s for con artists, and it's still used today—it's one of those satisfying short words English borrowed to describe sneaky behavior!

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