First Known Use: circa 1570
Dictionary
1flimflam
noun flim·flam \ˈflim-ˌflam\
: dishonest behavior meant to take money or property from someone
: foolish or deceptive words
Full Definition of FLIMFLAM
1
: deceptive nonsense
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Origin of FLIMFLAM
perhaps of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse flim mockery
Related to FLIMFLAM
2flimflam
verb
: to trick (someone) in order to steal money
flim·flammedflim·flam·ming
Full Definition of FLIMFLAM
transitive verb
: to subject to a flimflam
— flim·flam·mer noun
— flim·flam·mery \-ˌfla-mə-rē\ noun
See flimflam defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of FLIMFLAM
1660
Related to FLIMFLAM
- Synonyms
- beat, bilk, bleed, cheat, chisel, chouse, con, cozen, defraud, diddle, do, do in, euchre, fiddle, fleece, gaff, gyp, hose [slang], hustle, mulct, nobble [British slang], pluck, ream, rip off, rook, screw, shake down, short, shortchange, skin, skunk, squeeze, stick, stiff, sting, sucker, swindle, thimblerig, victimize
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