U.S. [Said to be the surname of a certain American burglar and safe-breaker.] A burglar or safe-breaker. So Yeggman.
1900. Inter Ocean, 13 May, 28/1. ‘In the past ten years,’ said Mr. Pinkerton, ‘there has sprung up in the United States a class of burglars known among their fellows as “John yeggmen,” but more frequently called “yeggs.”’
1903. N. Y. Even. Post, 23 June (Cent. Dict., Suppl.). The prompt breaking up of the organized gangs of professional beggars and yeggs.
1905. N. Y. Times, 2 Jan., 4/1 (ibid.). Detective Sergeants … captured on the Bowery three men who, they say, are among the most successful ‘yeggmen,’ or safe-crackers, in the business.
1906. A. Stringer, Wire Tappers, 100. ‘Now, nitro-glycerine I object to, it’s so abominably crude, and so disgustingly noisy.’
‘And so odiously criminal!’ she interpolated.
‘Precisely. We’re not exactly yeggmen yet.’
