Dictionary

tooler en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• (US) audio

Etymology

From tool + -er.

Meanings

1. A stonemason's chisel.
2. One who tools leather.
3. A criminal who defrauds a fruit machine and steals the money inside.
4. (UK, obsolete, slang) A pickpocket.
   • Pickpockets took to housebreaking and housebreakers joined gangs of street thieves; cracksmen's mistresses were often toolers and shoplifters. 1970, Kellow Chesney, The Anti-society: An Account of the Victorian Underworld, page 168:
   • A tooler was the most elite of the pickpockets, a planner and plotter, a boy with brains, daring and courage. At any one time Ikey hoped for four toolers in the making and two fully blown and working at the top of their trade. 2010, Bryce Courtenay, The Potato Factory, volume 1, page 103:

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