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A picturesque equivalent for German “Beutelschneidereiâ€, i.e. what cut-purses and fraudsters do
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In German there is a term Beutelschneiderei which in all dictionaries I have currently access to is being translated as "daylight robbery". However, Beutelschneiderei in German is a very picturesque word (evoking mediaeval sceneries), and my impression is that "daylight robbery" is more of a sober description of the activity.
Here is the question: What better terms could I use in an English text to render German Beutelschneiderei.
I found
cut-purse
as a term for the person involved in that business; cut-purse being an exact translation of Beutelschneider, which is the person; whereas Beutelschneiderei is the activity, or the trade, so perhaps something like
cut-pursery (?).
Note that the term Beutelschneiderei does not only describe the occupation of a person concretely cutting with a knife or scissors people's purses off their belt. It can be used also metaphorically for any fraudulent activity aiming at taking money from people without returning a due service. For example "Trump University" could in German quite correctly be refered to as Beutelschneiderei. It is this metaphorical use that I am after, not so much the original physical activity of pursecutting.
Note also that Beutelschneiderei is not a legal term. In legal terms, a cut-purse would be prosecuted for theft (Diebstahl) or robbery (Raub), because these terms are defined by penal law.
I am sure there are nice words or idioms in English, given for example the rich 19th century literature describing life in the poorer parts of society.
A concise version of this question would be: What (ideally picturesque, possibly slightly ironic) expressions are there to describe fraud?
idiom-requests
asked 3 hours ago
Christian Geiselmann
521213
 |Â
show 4 more comments
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
In German there is a term Beutelschneiderei which in all dictionaries I have currently access to is being translated as "daylight robbery". However, Beutelschneiderei in German is a very picturesque word (evoking mediaeval sceneries), and my impression is that "daylight robbery" is more of a sober description of the activity.
Here is the question: What better terms could I use in an English text to render German Beutelschneiderei.
I found
cut-purse
as a term for the person involved in that business; cut-purse being an exact translation of Beutelschneider, which is the person; whereas Beutelschneiderei is the activity, or the trade, so perhaps something like
cut-pursery (?).
Note that the term Beutelschneiderei does not only describe the occupation of a person concretely cutting with a knife or scissors people's purses off their belt. It can be used also metaphorically for any fraudulent activity aiming at taking money from people without returning a due service. For example "Trump University" could in German quite correctly be refered to as Beutelschneiderei. It is this metaphorical use that I am after, not so much the original physical activity of pursecutting.
Note also that Beutelschneiderei is not a legal term. In legal terms, a cut-purse would be prosecuted for theft (Diebstahl) or robbery (Raub), because these terms are defined by penal law.
I am sure there are nice words or idioms in English, given for example the rich 19th century literature describing life in the poorer parts of society.
A concise version of this question would be: What (ideally picturesque, possibly slightly ironic) expressions are there to describe fraud?
idiom-requests
asked 3 hours ago
Christian Geiselmann
521213
I can think of a few, but can you remove the single-word tag? English does not expand concepts into single words as neatly as German does.
– wetcircuit
3 hours ago
1
'Being mugged' springs to mind which not only refers to being physically robbed by violence but can also be related to underhand and devious methods of separating people from their hard earned.
– Nigel J
3 hours ago
@wetcircuit Thanks for the hint. "Single word request" was indeed a misleading tag. I hope "idiom-request" fits better.
– Christian Geiselmann
3 hours ago
This is confusing, because daylight robbery (also highway robbery, if you want a more "picturesque" term) refers to overcharging - while what you're describing is a fraudulent scheme. These are two entirely different things.
– michael.hor257k
3 hours ago
@michael.hor257k I do not claim that "daylight robbery" is a good translation. It is simply the only thing I so far found in dictionaries (even in two) for Beutelschneiderei. I am not happy with the translation, either. Therefore this question.
– Christian Geiselmann
3 hours ago
 |Â
show 4 more comments
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
In German there is a term Beutelschneiderei which in all dictionaries I have currently access to is being translated as "daylight robbery". However, Beutelschneiderei in German is a very picturesque word (evoking mediaeval sceneries), and my impression is that "daylight robbery" is more of a sober description of the activity.
Here is the question: What better terms could I use in an English text to render German Beutelschneiderei.
I found
cut-purse
as a term for the person involved in that business; cut-purse being an exact translation of Beutelschneider, which is the person; whereas Beutelschneiderei is the activity, or the trade, so perhaps something like
cut-pursery (?).
Note that the term Beutelschneiderei does not only describe the occupation of a person concretely cutting with a knife or scissors people's purses off their belt. It can be used also metaphorically for any fraudulent activity aiming at taking money from people without returning a due service. For example "Trump University" could in German quite correctly be refered to as Beutelschneiderei. It is this metaphorical use that I am after, not so much the original physical activity of pursecutting.
Note also that Beutelschneiderei is not a legal term. In legal terms, a cut-purse would be prosecuted for theft (Diebstahl) or robbery (Raub), because these terms are defined by penal law.
I am sure there are nice words or idioms in English, given for example the rich 19th century literature describing life in the poorer parts of society.
A concise version of this question would be: What (ideally picturesque, possibly slightly ironic) expressions are there to describe fraud?
idiom-requests
asked 3 hours ago
Christian Geiselmann
521213
In German there is a term Beutelschneiderei which in all dictionaries I have currently access to is being translated as "daylight robbery". However, Beutelschneiderei in German is a very picturesque word (evoking mediaeval sceneries), and my impression is that "daylight robbery" is more of a sober description of the activity.
Here is the question: What better terms could I use in an English text to render German Beutelschneiderei.
I found
cut-purse
as a term for the person involved in that business; cut-purse being an exact translation of Beutelschneider, which is the person; whereas Beutelschneiderei is the activity, or the trade, so perhaps something like
cut-pursery (?).
Note that the term Beutelschneiderei does not only describe the occupation of a person concretely cutting with a knife or scissors people's purses off their belt. It can be used also metaphorically for any fraudulent activity aiming at taking money from people without returning a due service. For example "Trump University" could in German quite correctly be refered to as Beutelschneiderei. It is this metaphorical use that I am after, not so much the original physical activity of pursecutting.
Note also that Beutelschneiderei is not a legal term. In legal terms, a cut-purse would be prosecuted for theft (Diebstahl) or robbery (Raub), because these terms are defined by penal law.
I am sure there are nice words or idioms in English, given for example the rich 19th century literature describing life in the poorer parts of society.
A concise version of this question would be: What (ideally picturesque, possibly slightly ironic) expressions are there to describe fraud?
idiom-requests
idiom-requests
asked 3 hours ago
Christian Geiselmann
521213
asked 3 hours ago
Christian Geiselmann
521213
edited 28 mins ago
asked 3 hours ago
Christian Geiselmann
521213
asked 3 hours ago
Christian Geiselmann
521213
asked 3 hours ago
Christian Geiselmann
521213
521213
I can think of a few, but can you remove the single-word tag? English does not expand concepts into single words as neatly as German does.
– wetcircuit
3 hours ago
1
'Being mugged' springs to mind which not only refers to being physically robbed by violence but can also be related to underhand and devious methods of separating people from their hard earned.
– Nigel J
3 hours ago
@wetcircuit Thanks for the hint. "Single word request" was indeed a misleading tag. I hope "idiom-request" fits better.
– Christian Geiselmann
3 hours ago
This is confusing, because daylight robbery (also highway robbery, if you want a more "picturesque" term) refers to overcharging - while what you're describing is a fraudulent scheme. These are two entirely different things.
– michael.hor257k
3 hours ago
@michael.hor257k I do not claim that "daylight robbery" is a good translation. It is simply the only thing I so far found in dictionaries (even in two) for Beutelschneiderei. I am not happy with the translation, either. Therefore this question.
– Christian Geiselmann
3 hours ago
 |Â
show 4 more comments
I can think of a few, but can you remove the single-word tag? English does not expand concepts into single words as neatly as German does.
– wetcircuit
3 hours ago
1
'Being mugged' springs to mind which not only refers to being physically robbed by violence but can also be related to underhand and devious methods of separating people from their hard earned.
– Nigel J
3 hours ago
@wetcircuit Thanks for the hint. "Single word request" was indeed a misleading tag. I hope "idiom-request" fits better.
– Christian Geiselmann
3 hours ago
This is confusing, because daylight robbery (also highway robbery, if you want a more "picturesque" term) refers to overcharging - while what you're describing is a fraudulent scheme. These are two entirely different things.
– michael.hor257k
3 hours ago
@michael.hor257k I do not claim that "daylight robbery" is a good translation. It is simply the only thing I so far found in dictionaries (even in two) for Beutelschneiderei. I am not happy with the translation, either. Therefore this question.
– Christian Geiselmann
3 hours ago
I can think of a few, but can you remove the single-word tag? English does not expand concepts into single words as neatly as German does.
– wetcircuit
3 hours ago
I can think of a few, but can you remove the single-word tag? English does not expand concepts into single words as neatly as German does.
– wetcircuit
3 hours ago
1
1
'Being mugged' springs to mind which not only refers to being physically robbed by violence but can also be related to underhand and devious methods of separating people from their hard earned.
– Nigel J
3 hours ago
'Being mugged' springs to mind which not only refers to being physically robbed by violence but can also be related to underhand and devious methods of separating people from their hard earned.
– Nigel J
3 hours ago
@wetcircuit Thanks for the hint. "Single word request" was indeed a misleading tag. I hope "idiom-request" fits better.
– Christian Geiselmann
3 hours ago
@wetcircuit Thanks for the hint. "Single word request" was indeed a misleading tag. I hope "idiom-request" fits better.
– Christian Geiselmann
3 hours ago
This is confusing, because daylight robbery (also highway robbery, if you want a more "picturesque" term) refers to overcharging - while what you're describing is a fraudulent scheme. These are two entirely different things.
– michael.hor257k
3 hours ago
This is confusing, because daylight robbery (also highway robbery, if you want a more "picturesque" term) refers to overcharging - while what you're describing is a fraudulent scheme. These are two entirely different things.
– michael.hor257k
3 hours ago
@michael.hor257k I do not claim that "daylight robbery" is a good translation. It is simply the only thing I so far found in dictionaries (even in two) for Beutelschneiderei. I am not happy with the translation, either. Therefore this question.
– Christian Geiselmann
3 hours ago
@michael.hor257k I do not claim that "daylight robbery" is a good translation. It is simply the only thing I so far found in dictionaries (even in two) for Beutelschneiderei. I am not happy with the translation, either. Therefore this question.
– Christian Geiselmann
3 hours ago
 |Â
show 4 more comments
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
up vote
3
down vote
"purse-snatching" is the kind of robbery where a purse, handbag or small package is grabbed from another person.
The National Incident-Based Reporting System defines purse-snatching as "the grabbing or snatching of a purse, handbag, etc., from the physical possession of another person."
answered 2 hours ago
Centaurus
36.5k25116231
Which related to the actual snatching of actual purses. Good to have that word. But would it be applicable also metaphorically to more general fraud?
– Christian Geiselmann
35 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
How about skullduggery?
(It doesn't seem to be related to 'skull', so in that sense it's not really visual, more onomatopoeic)
dishonorable proceedings; mean dishonesty or trickery: bribery, graft,
and other such skulduggery.
n.1856, apparently an alteration of Scottish sculdudrie "adultery"
(1713), sculduddery "bawdry, obscenity" (1821), a euphemism of
uncertain origin.
Hocus pocus might also do the trick.
3.trickery; deception.
answered 2 hours ago
S Conroy
2,1221320
1
So far, and based on the definition given in the box, skullduggery seems like a really good word for me, indeed!
– Christian Geiselmann
36 mins ago
'skullduggery' is accurate as primary definition, but it has old-fashioned connotations and sounds quaint.
– Mitch
22 mins ago
Skulduggery, at least as I've heard it used, doesn't evoke theft as I believe cut-purse does.
– Kristina Lopez
22 mins ago
It's a great word but it not necessarily robbery at all.
– Lambie
20 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
That would be the colorful idiom "pickpocket". It is picturesque, similar in meaning, and can be used as both a noun and a verb.
Is she a pack rat or a pickpocket?
He pickpocketed those a long time ago.
and also:
Pickpocketing, as an activity, is the subject of my book.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/pickpocket
answered 3 hours ago
user22542
1,10127
But is there a similary nice noun for the activity (rather than the person)? Pick-pocketry? Pick-pocketing? And is pick pocket not rather used for concrete theft of purses and other valuables, and not so much in a metaphorical way (as for Trump University or whatever other fraudulent endeavour)?
– Christian Geiselmann
3 hours ago
1
The most common word for the activity would be "pickpocketing" It sounds like a cheerful activity. It could even be offered as a vocational course.
– user22542
2 hours ago
Cheerful is good. Beutelschneiderei similarly has a touch of being a nice, pleasant, eco-friendly, sociable activity (as long as the original physical activity is meant; the cheerfulness does not apply to the broader sense of fraud).
– Christian Geiselmann
30 mins ago
pickpocketing and petty thievery: books.google.com/…
– Lambie
18 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
A well-known idiom is Highway Robbery.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/highway%20robbery
It breaks the rules of your question (2 words, outside of a city) but it is so well-known I think it should be mentioned.
answered 3 hours ago
wetcircuit
4265
Can you perhaps include the definition of "Highway Robbery" in your answer? While a picture is worth a thousand words, I can't tell which of those are the definition :)
– scohe001
4 mins ago
add a comment |Â
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
3
down vote
"purse-snatching" is the kind of robbery where a purse, handbag or small package is grabbed from another person.
The National Incident-Based Reporting System defines purse-snatching as "the grabbing or snatching of a purse, handbag, etc., from the physical possession of another person."
answered 2 hours ago
Centaurus
36.5k25116231
Which related to the actual snatching of actual purses. Good to have that word. But would it be applicable also metaphorically to more general fraud?
– Christian Geiselmann
35 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
"purse-snatching" is the kind of robbery where a purse, handbag or small package is grabbed from another person.
The National Incident-Based Reporting System defines purse-snatching as "the grabbing or snatching of a purse, handbag, etc., from the physical possession of another person."
answered 2 hours ago
Centaurus
36.5k25116231
Which related to the actual snatching of actual purses. Good to have that word. But would it be applicable also metaphorically to more general fraud?
– Christian Geiselmann
35 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
up vote
3
down vote
"purse-snatching" is the kind of robbery where a purse, handbag or small package is grabbed from another person.
The National Incident-Based Reporting System defines purse-snatching as "the grabbing or snatching of a purse, handbag, etc., from the physical possession of another person."
answered 2 hours ago
Centaurus
36.5k25116231
"purse-snatching" is the kind of robbery where a purse, handbag or small package is grabbed from another person.
The National Incident-Based Reporting System defines purse-snatching as "the grabbing or snatching of a purse, handbag, etc., from the physical possession of another person."
answered 2 hours ago
Centaurus
36.5k25116231
edited 2 hours ago
answered 2 hours ago
Centaurus
36.5k25116231
answered 2 hours ago
Centaurus
36.5k25116231
answered 2 hours ago
Centaurus
36.5k25116231
36.5k25116231
Which related to the actual snatching of actual purses. Good to have that word. But would it be applicable also metaphorically to more general fraud?
– Christian Geiselmann
35 mins ago
add a comment |Â
Which related to the actual snatching of actual purses. Good to have that word. But would it be applicable also metaphorically to more general fraud?
– Christian Geiselmann
35 mins ago
Which related to the actual snatching of actual purses. Good to have that word. But would it be applicable also metaphorically to more general fraud?
– Christian Geiselmann
35 mins ago
Which related to the actual snatching of actual purses. Good to have that word. But would it be applicable also metaphorically to more general fraud?
– Christian Geiselmann
35 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
How about skullduggery?
(It doesn't seem to be related to 'skull', so in that sense it's not really visual, more onomatopoeic)
dishonorable proceedings; mean dishonesty or trickery: bribery, graft,
and other such skulduggery.
n.1856, apparently an alteration of Scottish sculdudrie "adultery"
(1713), sculduddery "bawdry, obscenity" (1821), a euphemism of
uncertain origin.
Hocus pocus might also do the trick.
3.trickery; deception.
answered 2 hours ago
S Conroy
2,1221320
1
So far, and based on the definition given in the box, skullduggery seems like a really good word for me, indeed!
– Christian Geiselmann
36 mins ago
'skullduggery' is accurate as primary definition, but it has old-fashioned connotations and sounds quaint.
– Mitch
22 mins ago
Skulduggery, at least as I've heard it used, doesn't evoke theft as I believe cut-purse does.
– Kristina Lopez
22 mins ago
It's a great word but it not necessarily robbery at all.
– Lambie
20 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
How about skullduggery?
(It doesn't seem to be related to 'skull', so in that sense it's not really visual, more onomatopoeic)
dishonorable proceedings; mean dishonesty or trickery: bribery, graft,
and other such skulduggery.
n.1856, apparently an alteration of Scottish sculdudrie "adultery"
(1713), sculduddery "bawdry, obscenity" (1821), a euphemism of
uncertain origin.
Hocus pocus might also do the trick.
3.trickery; deception.
answered 2 hours ago
S Conroy
2,1221320
1
So far, and based on the definition given in the box, skullduggery seems like a really good word for me, indeed!
– Christian Geiselmann
36 mins ago
'skullduggery' is accurate as primary definition, but it has old-fashioned connotations and sounds quaint.
– Mitch
22 mins ago
Skulduggery, at least as I've heard it used, doesn't evoke theft as I believe cut-purse does.
– Kristina Lopez
22 mins ago
It's a great word but it not necessarily robbery at all.
– Lambie
20 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
How about skullduggery?
(It doesn't seem to be related to 'skull', so in that sense it's not really visual, more onomatopoeic)
dishonorable proceedings; mean dishonesty or trickery: bribery, graft,
and other such skulduggery.
n.1856, apparently an alteration of Scottish sculdudrie "adultery"
(1713), sculduddery "bawdry, obscenity" (1821), a euphemism of
uncertain origin.
Hocus pocus might also do the trick.
3.trickery; deception.
answered 2 hours ago
S Conroy
2,1221320
How about skullduggery?
(It doesn't seem to be related to 'skull', so in that sense it's not really visual, more onomatopoeic)
dishonorable proceedings; mean dishonesty or trickery: bribery, graft,
and other such skulduggery.
n.1856, apparently an alteration of Scottish sculdudrie "adultery"
(1713), sculduddery "bawdry, obscenity" (1821), a euphemism of
uncertain origin.
Hocus pocus might also do the trick.
3.trickery; deception.
answered 2 hours ago
S Conroy
2,1221320
edited 2 hours ago
answered 2 hours ago
S Conroy
2,1221320
answered 2 hours ago
S Conroy
2,1221320
answered 2 hours ago
S Conroy
2,1221320
2,1221320
1
So far, and based on the definition given in the box, skullduggery seems like a really good word for me, indeed!
– Christian Geiselmann
36 mins ago
'skullduggery' is accurate as primary definition, but it has old-fashioned connotations and sounds quaint.
– Mitch
22 mins ago
Skulduggery, at least as I've heard it used, doesn't evoke theft as I believe cut-purse does.
– Kristina Lopez
22 mins ago
It's a great word but it not necessarily robbery at all.
– Lambie
20 mins ago
add a comment |Â
1
So far, and based on the definition given in the box, skullduggery seems like a really good word for me, indeed!
– Christian Geiselmann
36 mins ago
'skullduggery' is accurate as primary definition, but it has old-fashioned connotations and sounds quaint.
– Mitch
22 mins ago
Skulduggery, at least as I've heard it used, doesn't evoke theft as I believe cut-purse does.
– Kristina Lopez
22 mins ago
It's a great word but it not necessarily robbery at all.
– Lambie
20 mins ago
1
1
So far, and based on the definition given in the box, skullduggery seems like a really good word for me, indeed!
– Christian Geiselmann
36 mins ago
So far, and based on the definition given in the box, skullduggery seems like a really good word for me, indeed!
– Christian Geiselmann
36 mins ago
'skullduggery' is accurate as primary definition, but it has old-fashioned connotations and sounds quaint.
– Mitch
22 mins ago
'skullduggery' is accurate as primary definition, but it has old-fashioned connotations and sounds quaint.
– Mitch
22 mins ago
Skulduggery, at least as I've heard it used, doesn't evoke theft as I believe cut-purse does.
– Kristina Lopez
22 mins ago
Skulduggery, at least as I've heard it used, doesn't evoke theft as I believe cut-purse does.
– Kristina Lopez
22 mins ago
It's a great word but it not necessarily robbery at all.
– Lambie
20 mins ago
It's a great word but it not necessarily robbery at all.
– Lambie
20 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
That would be the colorful idiom "pickpocket". It is picturesque, similar in meaning, and can be used as both a noun and a verb.
Is she a pack rat or a pickpocket?
He pickpocketed those a long time ago.
and also:
Pickpocketing, as an activity, is the subject of my book.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/pickpocket
answered 3 hours ago
user22542
1,10127
But is there a similary nice noun for the activity (rather than the person)? Pick-pocketry? Pick-pocketing? And is pick pocket not rather used for concrete theft of purses and other valuables, and not so much in a metaphorical way (as for Trump University or whatever other fraudulent endeavour)?
– Christian Geiselmann
3 hours ago
1
The most common word for the activity would be "pickpocketing" It sounds like a cheerful activity. It could even be offered as a vocational course.
– user22542
2 hours ago
Cheerful is good. Beutelschneiderei similarly has a touch of being a nice, pleasant, eco-friendly, sociable activity (as long as the original physical activity is meant; the cheerfulness does not apply to the broader sense of fraud).
– Christian Geiselmann
30 mins ago
pickpocketing and petty thievery: books.google.com/…
– Lambie
18 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
That would be the colorful idiom "pickpocket". It is picturesque, similar in meaning, and can be used as both a noun and a verb.
Is she a pack rat or a pickpocket?
He pickpocketed those a long time ago.
and also:
Pickpocketing, as an activity, is the subject of my book.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/pickpocket
answered 3 hours ago
user22542
1,10127
But is there a similary nice noun for the activity (rather than the person)? Pick-pocketry? Pick-pocketing? And is pick pocket not rather used for concrete theft of purses and other valuables, and not so much in a metaphorical way (as for Trump University or whatever other fraudulent endeavour)?
– Christian Geiselmann
3 hours ago
1
The most common word for the activity would be "pickpocketing" It sounds like a cheerful activity. It could even be offered as a vocational course.
– user22542
2 hours ago
Cheerful is good. Beutelschneiderei similarly has a touch of being a nice, pleasant, eco-friendly, sociable activity (as long as the original physical activity is meant; the cheerfulness does not apply to the broader sense of fraud).
– Christian Geiselmann
30 mins ago
pickpocketing and petty thievery: books.google.com/…
– Lambie
18 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
That would be the colorful idiom "pickpocket". It is picturesque, similar in meaning, and can be used as both a noun and a verb.
Is she a pack rat or a pickpocket?
He pickpocketed those a long time ago.
and also:
Pickpocketing, as an activity, is the subject of my book.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/pickpocket
answered 3 hours ago
user22542
1,10127
That would be the colorful idiom "pickpocket". It is picturesque, similar in meaning, and can be used as both a noun and a verb.
Is she a pack rat or a pickpocket?
He pickpocketed those a long time ago.
and also:
Pickpocketing, as an activity, is the subject of my book.
https://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/pickpocket
answered 3 hours ago
user22542
1,10127
edited 3 mins ago
answered 3 hours ago
user22542
1,10127
answered 3 hours ago
user22542
1,10127
answered 3 hours ago
user22542
1,10127
1,10127
But is there a similary nice noun for the activity (rather than the person)? Pick-pocketry? Pick-pocketing? And is pick pocket not rather used for concrete theft of purses and other valuables, and not so much in a metaphorical way (as for Trump University or whatever other fraudulent endeavour)?
– Christian Geiselmann
3 hours ago
1
The most common word for the activity would be "pickpocketing" It sounds like a cheerful activity. It could even be offered as a vocational course.
– user22542
2 hours ago
Cheerful is good. Beutelschneiderei similarly has a touch of being a nice, pleasant, eco-friendly, sociable activity (as long as the original physical activity is meant; the cheerfulness does not apply to the broader sense of fraud).
– Christian Geiselmann
30 mins ago
pickpocketing and petty thievery: books.google.com/…
– Lambie
18 mins ago
add a comment |Â
But is there a similary nice noun for the activity (rather than the person)? Pick-pocketry? Pick-pocketing? And is pick pocket not rather used for concrete theft of purses and other valuables, and not so much in a metaphorical way (as for Trump University or whatever other fraudulent endeavour)?
– Christian Geiselmann
3 hours ago
1
The most common word for the activity would be "pickpocketing" It sounds like a cheerful activity. It could even be offered as a vocational course.
– user22542
2 hours ago
Cheerful is good. Beutelschneiderei similarly has a touch of being a nice, pleasant, eco-friendly, sociable activity (as long as the original physical activity is meant; the cheerfulness does not apply to the broader sense of fraud).
– Christian Geiselmann
30 mins ago
pickpocketing and petty thievery: books.google.com/…
– Lambie
18 mins ago
But is there a similary nice noun for the activity (rather than the person)? Pick-pocketry? Pick-pocketing? And is pick pocket not rather used for concrete theft of purses and other valuables, and not so much in a metaphorical way (as for Trump University or whatever other fraudulent endeavour)?
– Christian Geiselmann
3 hours ago
But is there a similary nice noun for the activity (rather than the person)? Pick-pocketry? Pick-pocketing? And is pick pocket not rather used for concrete theft of purses and other valuables, and not so much in a metaphorical way (as for Trump University or whatever other fraudulent endeavour)?
– Christian Geiselmann
3 hours ago
1
1
The most common word for the activity would be "pickpocketing" It sounds like a cheerful activity. It could even be offered as a vocational course.
– user22542
2 hours ago
The most common word for the activity would be "pickpocketing" It sounds like a cheerful activity. It could even be offered as a vocational course.
– user22542
2 hours ago
Cheerful is good. Beutelschneiderei similarly has a touch of being a nice, pleasant, eco-friendly, sociable activity (as long as the original physical activity is meant; the cheerfulness does not apply to the broader sense of fraud).
– Christian Geiselmann
30 mins ago
Cheerful is good. Beutelschneiderei similarly has a touch of being a nice, pleasant, eco-friendly, sociable activity (as long as the original physical activity is meant; the cheerfulness does not apply to the broader sense of fraud).
– Christian Geiselmann
30 mins ago
pickpocketing and petty thievery: books.google.com/…
– Lambie
18 mins ago
pickpocketing and petty thievery: books.google.com/…
– Lambie
18 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
A well-known idiom is Highway Robbery.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/highway%20robbery
It breaks the rules of your question (2 words, outside of a city) but it is so well-known I think it should be mentioned.
answered 3 hours ago
wetcircuit
4265
Can you perhaps include the definition of "Highway Robbery" in your answer? While a picture is worth a thousand words, I can't tell which of those are the definition :)
– scohe001
4 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
A well-known idiom is Highway Robbery.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/highway%20robbery
It breaks the rules of your question (2 words, outside of a city) but it is so well-known I think it should be mentioned.
answered 3 hours ago
wetcircuit
4265
Can you perhaps include the definition of "Highway Robbery" in your answer? While a picture is worth a thousand words, I can't tell which of those are the definition :)
– scohe001
4 mins ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
A well-known idiom is Highway Robbery.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/highway%20robbery
It breaks the rules of your question (2 words, outside of a city) but it is so well-known I think it should be mentioned.
answered 3 hours ago
wetcircuit
4265
A well-known idiom is Highway Robbery.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/highway%20robbery
It breaks the rules of your question (2 words, outside of a city) but it is so well-known I think it should be mentioned.
answered 3 hours ago
wetcircuit
4265
answered 3 hours ago
wetcircuit
4265
answered 3 hours ago
wetcircuit
4265
answered 3 hours ago
wetcircuit
4265
4265
Can you perhaps include the definition of "Highway Robbery" in your answer? While a picture is worth a thousand words, I can't tell which of those are the definition :)
– scohe001
4 mins ago
add a comment |Â
Can you perhaps include the definition of "Highway Robbery" in your answer? While a picture is worth a thousand words, I can't tell which of those are the definition :)
– scohe001
4 mins ago
Can you perhaps include the definition of "Highway Robbery" in your answer? While a picture is worth a thousand words, I can't tell which of those are the definition :)
– scohe001
4 mins ago
Can you perhaps include the definition of "Highway Robbery" in your answer? While a picture is worth a thousand words, I can't tell which of those are the definition :)
– scohe001
4 mins ago
add a comment |Â
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I can think of a few, but can you remove the single-word tag? English does not expand concepts into single words as neatly as German does.
– wetcircuit
3 hours ago
1
'Being mugged' springs to mind which not only refers to being physically robbed by violence but can also be related to underhand and devious methods of separating people from their hard earned.
– Nigel J
3 hours ago
@wetcircuit Thanks for the hint. "Single word request" was indeed a misleading tag. I hope "idiom-request" fits better.
– Christian Geiselmann
3 hours ago
This is confusing, because daylight robbery (also highway robbery, if you want a more "picturesque" term) refers to overcharging - while what you're describing is a fraudulent scheme. These are two entirely different things.
– michael.hor257k
3 hours ago
@michael.hor257k I do not claim that "daylight robbery" is a good translation. It is simply the only thing I so far found in dictionaries (even in two) for Beutelschneiderei. I am not happy with the translation, either. Therefore this question.
– Christian Geiselmann
3 hours ago