noun
peterman
noun
1
Old slang for a safecracker — someone who breaks open safes to steal from them.
"The gang hired an old peterman to crack the vault."
How to Use Peterman
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA dated slang term for a professional safecracker.
When to use it
Archaic/criminal slang, mostly found in older crime fiction.
Word Forms
petermen plural, petermen plural, Petermans plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “peterman”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
The gang hired an old _____ to crack the vault.
Etymology
From peter ("a safe," 17th-century slang) + man.