This week’s theme
Words to describe people

This week’s words
snollygoster
highbinder
wirepuller
four-flusher
jackleg

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(HY-byn-duhr)

MEANING:

noun: A swindler, gangster, or a corrupt politician.

ETYMOLOGY:

After the Highbinders, a Chinese gang in New York and other cities from the mid-1800s to the early 1900s. Earliest documented use: 1806.

USAGE:

“At least 30 other states have seen their retirement investments fall. In New Mexico, some highbinders getting huge fees put plenty of money in risky investments.”
Leaders on Notice: Reform Pensions Now; The Santa Fe New Mexican; Sep 14, 2010.

See more usage examples of highbinder in Vocabulary.com’s dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: