thimblerigger
(ˈθɪmb(ə)lˌrɪgə(r))
[f. thimblerig n. + -er1.]
A professional sharper who cheats by thimblerigging; also transf. one who cheats by means of tricks, or juggles with phrases, etc.
| 1831 Lincoln Herald 7 Oct. 4/4 An altercation took place between some countrymen and the thimble-riggers, on a charge of cheating. 1871 L. Stephen Playgr. Eur. ix. (1894) 202 A cross between a prizefighter and a thimble⁓rigger. 1891 T. Hardy Tess xviii, A firm believer—not as the phrase is now elusively construed by theological thimble⁓riggers in the Church and out of it. |
Hence ˈthimbleˌriggery, thimblerigging.
| 1841 Blackw. Mag. L. 178 Lying and thimbleriggery assume high privilege. 1841 R. Oastler Fleet Papers I. l. 399 The noble art of ‘thimble-riggery’. |