or stock-jobbing, &c., subs. phr. (old: now recognised).—See quots.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v. STOCK-JOBBING, a sharp, cunning-cheating Trade of Buying and Selling Shares of Stock in East India, Guinea and other Companies; also in the Bank, Exchequer, &c.
1703. STEELE, The Tender Husband, ii. 1. Public Knaves and STOCK-JOBBERS pass for Wits at her end of the Town, as common Cheats and Gamesters do at yours.
1785. GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. STOCK JOBBERS. Persons who gamble on the Stock Exchange pretending to buy and sell public funds, but only betting that they will be at a certain price at a particular time; possessing neither stock to be sold, nor money to make good the payments, known [as] bulls, bears and lame ducks.—[Abridged.]
