subs. (old).—A watch; a YACK (q.v.): hence THIMBLE-TWISTER = a watch thief; THIMBLE AND SLANG = watch and chain (GROSE, VAUX).
1834. W. H. AINSWORTH, Rookwood, III. v. With my THIMBLE [watch] of ridge.
1901. W. S. WALKER, In the Blood, 138. Obtained in the form of silver money and a watch and chain, or, in thieves’ language, ‘white lot’ and THIMBLE AND SLANG.
KNIGHT OF THE THIMBLE, subs. phr. (common).—A tailor: see TRADES.
1838. JAS. GRANT, Sketches in London, III. 119. ‘You’ll do what, Sir?’ observed the ‘man with the Macintosh,’ eyeing the KNIGHT OF THE THIMBLE steadily. ‘Just call me a tailor, agin, Sir.’
