land grabber
Preserved but no longer current.
A common expression in Ireland during the last two decades of the 19th century, to signify one who takes the farm or land of an evicted tenant. The corresponding phrase in the 18th century was Land Pirate.
Era: ca. 1898 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Reproduced from Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (1898 edition, public domain; archive.org, retrieved 2026-07-31; OCR text, minor errors possible). Reflects the scholarship and attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “land grabber” mean?
A common expression in Ireland during the last two decades of the 19th century, to signify one who takes the farm or land of an evicted tenant. The corresponding phrase in the 18th century was Land Pirate.
Is “land grabber” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.