Street
shark hunter
What does shark hunter mean?
A shark hunter is a thief who seeks out intoxicated men in order to rob them while they are vulnerable.
"The shark hunters worked the saloons at closing time."
Origin
American underworld slang, early 20th century.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 'shark hunter'?
A thief who deliberately targets drunk men so as to rob them while they are too impaired to resist or remember.
Where would a shark hunter operate?
Around saloons and bars, especially at closing time when intoxicated patrons were spilling out and easy to pick off.
Is this current slang?
No. It is early-20th-century American underworld slang and is now largely historical.
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