grifter etymology

Etymology

The term "grifter" comes from the Yiddish word "greifer," which means "grabber" or "seizer."

Meaning

A grifter is a person who uses deception and trickery to obtain money or other benefits from others. Grifters often use confidence tricks, scams, or other illegal or unethical means to exploit their victims.

Origin

The term "grifter" first appeared in the early 19th century in the United States. It was originally used to describe a type of con artist who worked at carnivals and fairs. These grifters would use games of chance and other tricks to deceive people and take their money.

Over time, the term "grifter" has come to be used more broadly to describe any type of person who uses deception to obtain money or other benefits from others. Grifters can be found in all walks of life, from street hustlers to corporate executives.

grifter relate terms

  • graft

    Etymology Middle English grafted from Old French graffer from Latin graphium mean

  • grave

    Etymology The word grave has its roots in the Latin word gravis which means heavy

  • grift

    Etymology Old French griffe claw talon Vulgar Latin cripha claw Greek grypos

  • graft

    Etymology Middle English grafted from Old French graffer from Latin graphium mean

  • swindler

    Etymology Middle English swindler from Middle Dutch swindelaere from swindelen to

  • teach

    Etymology Definition The study of the origin development and meaning of words Origin

  • sharper

    Etymology The word sharper has origins in the Old English term scearp which means s

  • tolerance

    Etymology Latin tolerantia endurance patience Stems from the verb tolerare to be

  • celestial

    Etymology The word celestial derives from the Latin word caelestis meaning heavenly

  • neat

    Etymology The word neat has an interesting etymology with multiple meanings and origin

  • Arab

  • diligent

    Etymology Latin diligens present participle of diligere to love to appreciate to f

  • excelsior

    Etymology The word excelsior comes from Latin specifically from the phrase excelsus

  • translate

    Etymology The word etymology comes from the Greek words étymon meaning true sense