subs. (popular).1. A housebreaker. [From CRACK, verb, sense 2, + MAN; literally one who CRACKS or forces his way into a house.] For synonyms, see THIEVES.
1811. GROSE and CLARKE, Lexicon Balatronicum. The kiddy is a clever CRACKSMAN; the young fellow is a very expert house-breaker.
1830. BULWER-LYTTON, Paul Clifford, p. 298, ed. 1854. I have no idea of a gentleman turning CRACKSMAN.
1837. DICKENS, Oliver Twist, p. 123. Youll be a fine young CRACKSMAN afore the old file now.
1837. R. H. BARHAM, The Ingoldsby Legends (The Lay of St. Aloys).
Your CRACKSMAN, for instance, thinks night-time the best | |
To break open a door, or the lid of a chest. |
1839. W. H. AINSWORTH, Jack Sheppard (1889), p. 70. Ill turn CRACKSMAN, like my father.
1889. Pall Mall Gazette, 21 Nov., p. 6, col. 1. The latest dodge among CRACKSMEN is to personate an electric-light man.
2. (common)..The penis.See CRACK, subs., sense 4.