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Snitcher
01
someone acting as an informer or decoy for the police
Grammatical Information
Animacy status
Human
Composition
Compound
Countable
Plural form
snitchers
02
a thief who steals without using violence
03
(Scottish) a handcuff
Slang
What does "snitcher" mean in Scottish slang?
It is used in Scotland, especially in police and criminal slang, to mean a handcuff, often in the plural "snitchers." People typically say "He put the snitchers on him" or "Get the snitchers ready." The term originated in 20th century Scottish slang, possibly from the idea that handcuffs "snitch" (capture or restrict) a person's hands, and remains a regional, somewhat insider term.
Examples
The police put him in the snitchers.
