subs. (thieves’).—A pickpocket. [From CLY, a pocket, + FAKE, to steal. + ER.] For synonyms, see STOOKHAULER.

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  1827.  BULWER-LYTTON, Pelham, ch. lxxxii. They were gentlemen-sharpers, and not vulgar cracksmen and CLYFAKERS.

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  1839.  W. H. AINSWORTH, Jack Sheppard [1889], p. 14. ‘Oh, I see!’ replied Blueskin, winking significantly…. ‘Now! slip the purse into my hand. Bravo! the best CLY-FAKER of ’em all; couldn’t have done it better.’

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  1852.  Punch, vol. XXIII., p. 161.

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  1864.  HOTTEN, The Slang Dictionary, p. 103. CLY-FAKER: a pickpocket.

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