Obs. For forms see CONY. [f. CONY + CATCHER.]
1. One who catches rabbits.
1617. in Minsheu, Ductor.
2. One who catches ‘conies’ or dupes; a cheat, sharper, swindler, (A term made famous by Greene in 1591, and in great vogue for 60 years after.)
1591. Greene (title) A Notable Discovery of Coosnage. Now daily practised by sundry lewd persons, called Connie-catchers, and Crosse-biters. Ibid., Art Conny-Catch. (1592), 1. The coni-catchers apparelled like honest ciuel Gentlemen … attend onely to spie out a pray.
1602. Rowlands, Greene’s Ghost, 3. The name of Conicatchers is so odious, that now a dayes it is had vp, and vsed for an opprobrious name for euerie one that sheweth the least occasion of deceit.
1621. Burton, Anat. Mel., II. iii. VIII. (1651), 361. No sharkers, no cunnicatchers, no prolers.
1657. S. Purchas, Pol. Flying-Ins., 329. In this order are Cunnycatchers, who like the Devill are … still goeing up and downe seeking whom they may devoure.
[1822. Scott, Nigel, xxiii. ‘Marry, thou hast me on the hip there, thou old miserly cony-catcher!’]
fig. 1607. Walkington, Opt. Glass, 15. Whereof that old-english prophet of famous memory (whome one fondly tearm’d Albion’s ballade maker, the Cunnicatcher of time) … G. Chaucer took notice.
