792. Thief.-- N. thief, robber, homo trium literarum…
““792. Thief.-- N. thief, robber, homo trium literarum , pilferer, rifler, filcher, plagiarist. spoiler, depredator, pillager, marauder; harpy, shark, land-shark, falcon, moss-trooper, bushranger, Bedouin, brigand, freebooter, bandit, thug, dacoit, pirate, corsair, viking, Paul Jones; buccan-eer, -ier; piqu-, pick-eerer; rover, ranger, privateer, filibuster; rapparee, wrecker, picaroon; smuggler, poacher, plunderer, racketeer. highwayman, Dick Turpin, Claude Duval, Macheath, knight of the road, foodpad, sturdy beggar; abductor, kidnapper. cut-, pick-purse; pick-pocket, light-fingered gentry; sharper; card-, skittle-sharper; crook; thimble-rigger; rook, Greek, blackleg, leg, welsher, defaulter; Autolycus, Cacus, Barabbas, Jeremy Diddler, Robert Macaire, artful dodger, trickster; swell mob, chevalier d'industrie ; shop-lifter. swindler, peculator; forger, coiner, counterfeiter, shoful; fence, receiver of stolen goods, duffer; smasher. burglar, housebreaker; cracks-, mags-man; Bill Sikes, Jack Sheppard, Jonathan Wild, Raffles, cat burglar. [Roget's Thesaurus, 1941 Revision]””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
This extensive list categorizes thieves and related criminal archetypes, illustrating the breadth of human deceit.
In simple terms: Many terms describe thieves and their deeds.
Key Takeaway
Recognize varied forms of deceit.
Themes
crime
language
history
Mood
analytical
informative
Type
reference
null
null
When to use this quote
- law enforcement
- education
- writing crime
Key Concepts
lexicography
criminal studies
social anthropology
Questions to Reflect On
- Why label criminals so precisely?
- How does language shape perception of crime?
A Different Perspective
Over‑categorization can dilute understanding.