spiv
Black market dealer
A spiv is a man who lives by his wits, typically through petty black-market dealing or other shady schemes.
The term is British, associated especially with the wartime and postwar years when rationing created opportunities for small-time hustlers.
A spiv dresses flashily, talks fast, and always has something to sell: He bought the watch off some spiv in Soho.
Showy, often tastelessly so
- chancerUnscrupulous risk-taker
- hustlerAggressive, unscrupulous earner
- shadyDisreputable or sun-blocked
- streetwiseShrewd from urban experience
opportunist · schemer · slippery · smooth-talker · fast-talker · wheeler-dealer · fly-by-night · racketeer
Neatly and stylishly dressed
- slickSmooth or craftily adept
- trilbyPinch-crowned felt hat
- pinstripeThin parallel lines on fabric
- pomadeWaxy styling grease
suave · sharp · natty · snazzy · garish · ostentatious · gaudy
Illicit trading network
- rationingLimiting distribution during scarcity
- under-the-counterSold illegally or secretly
- couponsRedeemable discount certificates
- nylonsSheer synthetic hosiery
contraband · profiteering · shortages · austerity · Blitz · demobbed · post-war · 1940s
Curved; also dishonest
- hookyUnauthorized school absence
- stolenTaken unlawfully
- counterfeitFraudulent imitation
- forgedMade by smithing, or faked
smuggled · hot · flogging · punter · mark · backhander · cash-in-hand · no-questions-asked
flashy
Showy, often tastelessly so
- chancerUnscrupulous risk-taker
- hustlerAggressive, unscrupulous earner
- shadyDisreputable or sun-blocked
streetwise · opportunist · schemer · slippery · smooth-talker · fast-talker · wheeler-dealer · fly-by-night · racketeer · fence
dapper
Neatly and stylishly dressed
pomade · suave · sharp · natty · snazzy · garish · ostentatious · gaudy
black-market
Illicit trading network
- rationingLimiting distribution during scarcity
- under-the-counterSold illegally or secretly
- couponsRedeemable discount certificates
nylons · contraband · profiteering · shortages · austerity · Blitz · demobbed · post-war · 1940s · hoarding
bent
Curved; also dishonest
- hookyUnauthorized school absence
- stolenTaken unlawfully
- counterfeitFraudulent imitation
forged · smuggled · hot · flogging · punter · mark · backhander · cash-in-hand · no-questions-asked · bootleg
spivstraight arrow
Honest, principled person
pillar of the community · square shooter · gentleman · solid citizen · good egg