peterman
[
pee
-ter-m
uh
n]
/ˈpi tər mən/
noun
,
plural
petermen.
Slang.
1.
a safecracker.
Also,
peteman
.
Origin
1805-15;
peter
a safe or cash box, originally a portmanteau or trunk, as an object to be stolen or rifled (of obscure origin) +
-man
British Dictionary definitions for
peterman
peterman
/
ˈpiːtəmən
/
noun
(
pl
)
-men
1.
(
slang
) a burglar skilled in safe-breaking
Word Origin
C19: from
peter
³
Slang definitions & phrases for
peterman
peterman
noun
A safecracker;
pete-man
: the petermen of half a century ago
(1900+ Underworld)