Dimberdamber

/ˈdɪmbər.dæmbər/ noun

Definition

An archaic British slang term for a chief pickpocket or leader of a thieving gang.

Etymology

Compound of 'dimber' (excellent, distinguished) + 'damber' (unknown origin, possibly 'dabber'—one who dabs/picks). Used in 17th-century underworld cant and criminal argot.

Kelly Says

Dimberdamber is proof that thieves had job titles—it specifically meant the boss pickpocket who ran the operation, giving a weird-but-honest organizational hierarchy to historical crime!

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