What's a Spiv?

[MrMark]

I keep reading about this word in the current coverage of the credit crunch. I had thought a Spiv was someone in WWII who sold black market oranges and stockings (kinky sex?) but obviously there's a deeper meaning?

[Diver]

Thank you

I now have this picture of Dodgy in my mind. wrinkled pin stripe suit, spats, yellow tie, twirly moustache, cigar, Gold tooth and a warm clammy handshake

[realityhack]

Didn't bother looking it up until now - we'd probably be talking about the third definition here.

[thunderlizard]

OED:-
A man who lives by his wits and has no regular employment; one engaging in petty blackmarket dealings and freq. characterized by flashy dress.

[Board Game Geek]

Spivs are very easy to recognise.

Keep these photos handy to help you recognise a Spiv when you see one.

Spiv 1

Spiv 2

HTH

[MarillionFan]

OED:-
A man who lives by his wits and has no regular employment; one engaging in petty blackmarket dealings and freq. characterized by flashy dress.

Isn't that a definition of an IT contractor?

[Diver]

Isn't that a definition of an IT contractor?

What!
a flashily dressed contractor

[bogeyman]

Spivs are very easy to recognise.

Keep these photos handy to help you recognise a Spiv when you see one.

Spiv 1

Spiv 2

HTH

But these are both 'recruitment consultants', surely?

[Diver]

http://losingit.me.uk/v/sculpture/30..._7403.jpg.html

Contractor posing in front of his wardrobe


Sorry! (You know who you are )

[The Lone Gunman]

But these are both 'recruitment consultants', surely?

The terms are interchangeable.

Nobody mentioned the original Flash Harry in the original St Trinians movies?
George Cole also played the ultimate Spiv as Arfur.