Query: "ding-ding" in cant or slang

Erin McKean editor at VERBATIMMAG.COM
Tue Nov 15 23:19:48 UTC 2005


Cohen, Gerald Leonard wrote:
>  Barry Popik once drew an underworld lingo item to the attention of ads-l:
> (Los Angeles Times, Nov. 8, 1931, pp. K3, 16).  The example under "wire"
> contains a term I can find in no dictionary with a relevant meaning, and I'm at a loss as to what it does mean. Would anyone be able to help?
>
>    The example is: "That guy is one of the best wires that ever worked a ding ding in this town."
>
>     Btw, "wire" = the pickpocket who actually puts his/her hand in the pocket of the victim to extract the wallet or purse (vs. the "stall," who distracts the victim or promptly receives the stolen goods).
>
My guess would be "streetcar," but this may just be because of too much
time spent with the under-five set, as opposed to the criminal element.

-Erin



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