Definition:
: one who robs a drunken or sleeping person
Example:
"A Jackroller spotted 'Clinker' and accosted him. Clinker pulled him aside as said: 'Say, Bo! Lissen ter dis bird twitter, will youse: Do youse tink dat I'm a country Jake?'" – The National Provisioner, Vol. 58, Part 1, February 9, 1918
About the Word:
There was a professional boxer from New York City in the beginning of the 20th century named Jack Roller. It seems a good name for a pugilist, and it would be fitting were his name the origin for this colorful word. It is not.
Jackroller comes from the combination of jack ('a man of the common people') and the action of "rolling" someone ('to rob (a person) usually by going through the person's pockets while he or she is drunk, asleep, or unconscious').
Photo credit: Internet Archive on Flickr
