black market
[black a. 11.]
Unauthorized dealing in commodities that are rationed or of which the supply is otherwise restricted. Freq. attrib. Hence black markeˈteer, (less commonly) ˈmarketer, one engaged in such dealing; also abbrev. blackeˈteer (cf. racketeer). Hence also black-ˈmarket v., black-markeˈteering, black-ˈmarketing, blackeˈteering vbl. ns., to deal, dealing, in the black market.
| 1931 Economist 10 Jan. 60/1 The growth of an unofficial or ‘black’ market in sterling exchange. 1935 Ibid. 5 Oct. 662/2 ‘Black market’ quotations of Lit. 65–75 are reported in London. 1941 New Statesman 26 Apr. 430/2 There is evidence of a ‘black market’ where food can be bought without restriction if the price is high enough. 1942 Ann. Reg. 1941 96 The Government..took active steps to suppress the so-called ‘black market’ transactions in foodstuffs [etc.]..which..were also a matter of grave scandal in the country, particularly to those who could not afford ‘black market’ prices. 1942 Time 9 Mar. 29/1 The British people..favor outright imprisonment of guilty ‘blacketeers’. 1942 New Republic 13 Apr. 490/2 The most skilled black marketer..is the sort of man who used to be a confidence man or other City hanger-on. 1942 New Statesman 11 July 25/1 If Jewish black-marketeers flourish in England, it is an indication of the inefficiency of the Government in checking this pursuit. 1942 Times Lit. Suppl. 15 Aug. 401/3 The profits of black marketeering. 1943 Ann. Reg. 1942 22 The penalties for ‘black marketing’ were also made more severe. 1943 E. M. Almedingen Frossia ii. 81 People black-marketed in currency, in timber..in leather and in steel. 1944 Daily Express 6 Dec. 4/3 Alleged blacketeering by Paris ‘Gestapo’. 1957 Economist 7 Sept. 788/2 By some means it must be made more attractive to sell through legal channels than through the black market. Vigorous use of powers of deportation against the black marketeers would help. 1957 New Statesman 2 Nov. 554/1 Scruffy black-marketers..offered me wads of escudos for my ticket. |