or buzzer, buz-man, etc. subs. phr. (old).—1. A pickpocket: see BUZ, verb, 2.
1781. G. PARKER, A View of Society, II., 174. A young fry of boys … follow the profession of a BUZ-NAPPER.
1819. J. H. VAUX, Memoirs of Convict Life in Australia. BUZ-COVE, or BUZ-GLOAK, a pickpocket; a person who is clever at this practice is said to be a ‘good BUZ.’
1834. W. H. AINSWORTH, Rookwood, III., v.
| Until at last there was none so knowing, | |
| No such sneaksman or BUZGLOAK going. |
1856. H. MAYHEW, The Great World of London, 46. Those who plunder by stealth, as … ‘BUZZERS,’ who pick gentlemen’s pockets.
1856. H. MAYHEW, The Great World of London, 111. The London ‘BUZMAN’ (swell mobsman) can keep his pony by abstracting ‘skin’ (purses) from gentlemen’s pockets.
1859. G. A. SALA, Twice Round the Clock, 3 P.M., 10. Where these ruffiani, these copper captains and cozening BUZ-GLOAKS, are to be found during the day, or even up to midnight … must remain a secret.
1862. H. MAYHEW, The Criminal Prisons of London, 46. ‘BUZZERS,’ who pick gentlemen’s pockets; ‘wires,’ who pick ladies’ pockets.
1867. Galaxy, 634. While the [New York] police had no right to arrest pickpockets unless they caught them committing a theft, yet as they had the power to do so, they exercised it, and many were the car-BUZZERS they led captives to police headquarters.
