slinter

English

Etymology

Originally South African slang, borrowed from Afrikaans slenter (“scam”) from Dutch schlenter (“trick”)

Noun

slinter (plural slinters)

1. (New Zealand, South Africa, Australia) A scam or deception; fast one.
   • 1929, New Zealand Railways Magazine - Volume 4:

     Ah, never a mother's love they'll rob, By working a slinter — s'elp me Bob!

   • 1976, Frank Sargeson, Sunset Village, page 30:

     ...or he might work a slinter if you gave him half a chance .

   • 1976, New Zealand. Parliament, Parliamentary Debates. House of Representatives:

     It may be able to work a slinter on the young people who will now have to carry the burden of this extra taxation.

   • 2018, Anna Rogers, With Them Through Hell, →ISBN, page 14:

     Front-line men like Gray would come to feel that some 'drafted to Stationary and Base Hopitals and Hosp. Ships... work all manner of "slinters" [tricks] to stay there for the duration' and 'should be given a chance to show their prowess at stretcher bearing and whizband doging...There is absolutely no comparison between the 2 kinds of work.'

Anagrams

• linters, snirtle

Swedish

Verb

slinter

1. present indicative of slinta

Anagrams

• literns