silk snatchers
Preserved but no longer current.
Meaning · English
Thieves who snatch hoods or bonnets from persons walking in the streets.
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 “silk snatchers” mean?
Thieves who snatch hoods or bonnets from persons walking in the streets.
Is “silk snatchers” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.