Learn English – Thieves’ words for their victims

jargonterminologyword-usage

What words might a thief (of any variety) use to describe the victims of his theft?

Con artists in film often use "mark", for example. Is there other jargon specific to the con branch* of crime? How about burglars? Muggers? Bank robbers? Politicians? Oh, sorry… Highwaymen? Pickpockets?

*We might call these words "con-specific". :p

Best Answer

There are many terms for victim of a thief or swindler besides mark. Among them are

  • dupe
  • stooge
  • sucker
  • fall guy
  • chump
  • patsy

In games like chess, witless victims of chess sharps are called "fish" or "patzers".

In poker, victims of the poker sharks are called, variously

  • fish
  • donkeys (or "donks")
  • dead money
  • whales (fools with a lot of money; you generally see sharks circling around these players in a feeding frenzy)
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