subs. (common).—An impostor.

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  1823.  W. T. MONCRIEFF, Tom and Jerry, i., 6. Cope (speaking of a horse). Well, Master Gull’em, do you think we shall get the FLAT-CATCHER off to-day?

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  1841.  Blackwood’s Magazine, I., 202/2. Buttoners are those accomplices of thimbleriggers, and other gamblers of the fairs and race courses, whose duty it is to act as FLAT-CATCHERS or decoys, by personating flats.

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  1856.  H. MAYHEW, The Great World of London, p. 46. And ‘FLAT CATCHERS,’ or ring-droppers, who cheat by pretending to find valuables in the street.

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  1864.  London Review, 18 June, p. 643. ‘The Bobby’ or chinked-back horse, is another favourite FLAT-CATCHER.

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  1869.  WHYTE-MELVILLE, M. or N., p. 110. Rather a FLAT-CATCHER, Tom? said that nobleman, between the whiffs of a cigar.

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