Language: en
Meaning: (idiomatic,archaic,thieves' cantandslang)Apickpocket's accomplice; the person who takes the goods a pickpocket steals and leaves with them.1823,Tales of my Father, and my Friends, printed for T. and G. Underwood, Fleet Street, and Macredie, Skelly, and Co., Edinburgh; page 90–91:"In the same way as I got this," showing a handful of silver, "by turningautem diver, or, if you like it better, myAdam tiler.""I do not understand you, Billy!""Why, anautem diveris a pickpocket who practises in a church, and anAdam tilerhis associate, who receives his booty [...]"1934, Brian Penton,Landtakers: The Story of an Epoch:He waved his hand. "Well, you know how these sods gas. Most likely there's nothing in it. It's a cert Gursey sank dead on the gutter at the Flat. It'd be hard to prove he was Jem'sAdam Tiler."1940(2009edition), Georgette Heyer,The Corinthian, page 112:"In Mr Yarde's picturesque but somewhat obscure language, he — er — tipped the cole toAdam Tiler. Have I that right?''How the d-devil should I know?' snapped Brandon.'You must forgive me. You seem to me to be so familiar with — er — thieves and — er — swashbucklers, that I assumed that you were conversant also with thieving cant.'2007, S. Thomas Russell,Under Enemy Colors:“And do you know what anAdam Tilerdoes?” Wickham looked a bit embarrassed. “Is he employed in the repair of roofs, sir?”...“AnAdam Tileris the associate of a Fork, better known as a pickpocket.”2007, Ronnie Blackwell,Spite, page154:“Then Sue lifted his passkey as he turned to go back to the office.”“Lifted?” I said. “So now you've got the lingo down? Next you'll be telling me about marks, nippers, andAdam Tilers.” TheAdam Tilerbit brought a puzzled look from even Sue.“Oh, oh, I was the misdirection,” Narlene blurted. “I sort of let mypareoslip off of my shoulder at just the right time.”
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