shop-bouncer
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
A shoplifter's accomplice who distracts the salesperson.
Register: slang
Examples
This scheme has had a great run among the shop-bouncers, as has that of taking a boy in with them, when they first go into the shop, who, whilst the same examination of the goods is going on, contrives to put three or four pieces of handkerchiefs into the man's hat, which has been previously laid on
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 “shop-bouncer” mean?
A shoplifter's accomplice who distracts the salesperson.
Is “shop-bouncer” formal or informal?
shop-bouncer is generally slang.