Blaggers

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Individuals who adeptly use persuasion or misrepresentation to get what they want
2. Persons who skillfully manipulate others through charm or dishonesty to acquire goods or favors
3. Individuals who cleverly exploit social situations or falsehoods to gain benefits or advantages

Etymology: Blaggers is simply the plural of "blagger," so the story belongs to the singular. The noun comes from "blag," a British slang verb meaning to obtain something by deceit, bluff or cheek, with the suffix "-er" added to name the person doing it. The suffix itself has a long pedigree: it descends from Latin "-arius," which passed through Old French "-ier" and Middle English "-er" before becoming the everyday English agent ending. The verb "blag" is the older building block, and it has been used in Britain for a long time, though its exact origins are not firmly established. What is clear is the pattern of meaning: a blagger is someone who talks or charms their way into information, money or access they have no right to. The word is at home in the language of crime and cheek, where a successful blag can be a robbery carried out by talk rather than force.