whizzer

whizzer

English

Etymology

whizz +‎ -er

Noun

whizzer (plural whizzers)

1. A set of horizontal blades used to separate mineral particles.
2. A device used in milling to dry wheat, etc. by rapid spinning.
3. (Britain, slang) A pickpocket.
   • 1931, The Police Journal (volume 4, page 504)

     In order better to appreciate the use of argot among thieves, a visit to a few public bars of the third-class public houses of Kennington or in the immediate vicinity of the Elephant and Castle would prove of great value, as hoisters, whizzers, tea-leaves, con-heads, broadsmen and brass nobs […]

   • 1981, East End Underworld (page 146)

     They were whizzers (pickpockets) but they would also take part in burglaries.

   • 2012, Edgar Wallace, The Flying Squad

     He knew the whizzers – those innocent-looking men who crowd into omnibuses and rob the poor of their bitterly won earnings […]