subs. (thieves’). A thief whose speciality is to rob houses by entering skylights or garret-windows. Also DANCER and DANCING-MASTER. For synonyms, see THIEVES.
2. (journalists’).—An impecunious author; a literary hack.
1849–61. MACAULAY, The History of England, ch. xxv. GARRETEERS, who were never weary of calling the cousin of the Earls of Manchester and Sandwich an upstart.
1886. SHELLEY (quoted in Dowden’s Life), i., 47. Show them that we are no Grub-street GARRETEERS.
1892. National Observer, 18 March, p. 453. Has proclaimed urbi et orbi that governments have no business to manufacture specious sentiment by greasing the palms of ignorant and greedy GARRETEERS.
