curber

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Meaning · English

A type of thief who used a ‘curb’ or hooked pole to steal things through open windows.

Register: slang

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

Night was the natural time for the curber’s activities and striking up an acquaintance with a serving maid was an invaluable way of getting a window left open or learning the exact layout of the rooms in the house.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “curber” mean?

A type of thief who used a ‘curb’ or hooked pole to steal things through open windows.

Is “curber” formal or informal?

curber is generally slang.