Spiv

Spiv is a British slang word for a person (invariably male) who makes a living by shady dealings, usually by selling goods of dubious provenance. Although still occasionally heard today, the word spiv is generally associated with the Second World War and the period immediately after, when it came to be associated particularly with small-time crooks who dealt in black market goods, especially luxury items or goods subject to strict rationing, while avoiding military service.

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The etymology is uncertain. It has been suggested that there is a link to "spiffy", "spiffed-up" and similar old fashioned slang. Another suggestion is VIPs spelled backward. However, the most likely origin is from Romani language word "spiv" meaning a sparrow.

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Cockney spivs in British films and television shows include:

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• Flash Harry (played by George Cole) in the St Trinian's comedy movies:
  (The Belles of St Trinian's, Blue Murder at St Trinian's, The Pure Hell of St Trinian's and The Great St Trinian's Train Robbery).
• Arthur Daley (played by George Cole) in the television comedy series Minder.
• Private Joe Walker (played by James Beck) in the television comedy series Dad's Army.

See also: Wide boy

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Second World War: REDIRECT World War II...

Black market: The black market is the sector of economic activity involving illegal economic dealings, typically the buying and selling of merchandise illegally. The goods may be themselves illegal, such as the sale of prohibited weapons or the illegal drug trade; the merchandise may be stolen; or the merchandise...

Rationing: Rationing is the controlled distribution of resources and scarce goods or services: it restricts how much people are allowed to buy or consume. Rationing, for whatever reason, controls the size of the ration, one's allotted portion of the resources being distributed on a particular day or at a part...