subs. (old).—1. A swindler. For synonyms, see ROOK.
c. 1696. B. E., A New Dictionary of the Canting Crew, s.v.
1884. PHILLLPPS-WOLLEY, Trottings of a Tenderfoot, ch. ix. Now the Senator is only a ‘LEATHERHEAD’ who made his pile by such and such a swindle.
2. (old: American).—A policeman or watchman.
1882. J. D. MCCABE, New York by Sunlight and Gaslight, xxiii. 369. During the British occupation of the city, in the war of Independence, military patrols kept the streets at night…. After the close of the war a patrol of civilians was appointed…. They wore a leather hat with a wide brim, something like a fireman’s hat, and this won for them the name of ‘LEATHERHEADS.’
1888. New York Mercury, 21 July. Here the old police or LEATHERHEADS tried to restrain them, but in vain. Hostilities took place, several of the police were killed and several mortally wounded.
