Thimblerigging

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Thimblerig \Thim"ble*rig`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Thimblerigged};
     p. pr. & vb. n. {Thimblerigging}.]
     To swindle by means of small cups or thimbles, and a pea or
     small ball placed under one of them and quickly shifted to
     another, the victim laying a wager that he knows under which
     cup it is; hence, to cheat by any trick.


     [1913 Webster]