Associations to the word «Spiv»

Wiktionary

SPIV, noun. (British) (dated) A smartly dressed person who trades in illicit, black-market or stolen goods.
SPIV, noun. (British) (dated) A flashy con artist, often homeless, who lives by his wits.
SPIV, noun. (British) (dated) In Scotland Yard usage, a low and common thief.
SPIV, noun. (British) (dated) A slacker; one who shirks responsibility.

Dictionary definition

SPIV, noun. A person without employment who makes money by various dubious schemes; goes about smartly dressed and having a good time.

Wise words

Words are always getting conventionalized to some secondary meaning. It is one of the works of poetry to take the truants in custody and bring them back to their right senses.
William Butler Yeats