subs. phr. (old).—1. A bailiff; a Bow-street runner. [The SNATCH was the trick by which the bailiff captured the delinquent: now obsolete].
2. (common).—A policeman.
1858. A. MAYHEW, Paved with Gold, Bk. III., i., 254. ‘Now, if you or I was to do such a dodge as that, we should have the BODY-SNATCHERS (police officers) after us.’
3. (American).—A generally objectionable individual; a SNIDE (q.v.): also: MEAN BODY-SNATCHER.
4. (common).—A violator of graves, a RESURRECTIONIST (q.v.).
1833. SIR F. HEAD, Bubbles from the Brunnen, 126. Any one of our BODY-SNATCHERS would have rubbed his rough hands.
1863. Reader, Aug. 22. At that time (1827–28) … BODY-SNATCHING became a trade.
5. (common).—An undertaker; a COLD COOK (q.v.).
