Criminality was so widespread that its practitioners split into fields of specialization. Some became coney catchers, or swindlers {a coney was a rabbit reared for the table and thus unsuspectingly tame}; others became foists {pickpockets}, nips, or nippers {cutpurses}, hookers {who snatched desirables through open windows with hooks}, abtams {who feigned lunacy to provide a distraction}, whipjacks, fingerers, cross biters, cozeners, courtesy men, and many more. Brawls were shockingly common.
( Bill Bryson )
[ Shakespeare: The World as ]
www.QuoteSweet.com