Dimble

/ˈdɪmbəl/ noun

Definition

Archaic British underworld slang for a counterfeit coin, trifle, or something of little value.

Etymology

From 17th-18th century criminal cant, possibly related to 'dimmer' or from Romani influence on London street slang. Used by thieves and con artists to describe worthless objects.

Kelly Says

Dimbles were the 1600s version of counterfeit coins—criminals had such detailed slang for scams that linguists can reconstruct entire fraud operations from old cant dictionaries!

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