Street
penny-weighter
What does penny-weighter mean?
A penny-weighter is a thief who specializes in stealing jewelry and precious stones, often by swapping fakes for real gems at counters.
"A slick penny-weighter could walk out of a jeweler's with a diamond and leave paste behind."
Origin
American cant; from 'pennyweight,' a small unit for weighing precious metals.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 'penny-weighter'?
A penny-weighter is a thief who specialises in stealing jewelry and precious stones, often by swapping fakes for real gems at counters.
Where does 'penny-weighter' come from?
It is American cant, from 'pennyweight', a small unit used for weighing precious metals, reflecting the thief's focus on high-value gems and gold.
How does a penny-weighter work?
A classic method is to distract a jeweler and swap a real diamond for a worthless paste imitation, walking out with the genuine stone.
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