figure dancer

Preserved but no longer current.

Meaning · English

One who alters figures on bank notes, converting tens to hundreds.

Era: ca. 1811 (Georgian)

Where it’s used: Origin British & Irish English
Sources & notes

Historical definition reproduced from Grose’s Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (1811 edition, public domain; Project Gutenberg #5402, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.

Common questions

What does “figure dancer” mean?

One who alters figures on bank notes, converting tens to hundreds.

Is “figure dancer” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.