Spiv

In the United Kingdom, a spiv is a petty criminal who deals in illicit, typically black market, goods.

The word first appeared in print in a non-fiction crime paperback (C. G. Gordon's Crooks of Underworld) in a horseracing context in 1929.

[3] The word may also be evidenced by the nickname "Spiv" given to Henry Bagster, a London small-time crook who was frequently arrested for illegal street trading and confidence tricks.

[8] The spiv had a characteristic look which has been described as "A duck's arse haircut, Clark Gable moustache, rakish trilby [hat], drape-shape jacket, and loud garish tie ... [which] all represented a deliberate snook cocked at wartime austerity.

"[9] The comedian Arthur English had a successful career immediately after the Second World War appearing as a spiv with a pencil moustache, wide-brimmed hat, light-coloured suit and a large bright patterned tie.

An actor performing the role of a spiv selling goods "from the back of a lorry" at a 2011 historical re-enactment, complete with a look-out watching for the law