Street
peterman
What does peterman mean?
A peterman is a criminal who specializes in opening safes, whether by explosives or tools. 'Peter' is old cant for a safe or strongbox.
"They needed a proper peterman for the job, someone who could crack the vault without waking the block."
Origin
British/American cant; 'peter' (a safe/trunk) plus '-man,' punning on the apostle Peter the fisherman.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 'peterman'?
A peterman is a criminal who specialises in opening safes, whether by explosives or tools. 'Peter' is old cant for a safe or strongbox.
Why is a safe called a 'peter'?
'Peter' has long been thieves' cant for a safe or strongbox, and the '-man' suffix makes a punning nod to the apostle Peter the fisherman.
Is a peterman the same as a safecracker?
Yes. Peterman is an older cant word for a safecracker, the specialist who breaks into safes on a job.
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