or -lifter, -bouncer, subs. phr. (old).—‘One that steals under Pretence of Cheap’ning’ (B. E.: also HEAD, DYCHE, GROSE, and SNOWDEN): cf. LIFT. Hence SHOP-LIFTING and similar compounds.
1678. Four for a Penny, in Harleian Miscellany (ed. PARK), IV. 147. He is the treasurer of the thieves’ exchequer, the common fender of all balkers and SHOP-LIFTS in the town.
1703. WARD, The London Spy, v. 108. The Light finger’d Subtlety of SHOP-LIFTING.
1704. SWIFT, Tale of a Tub, Sect. VI. Like a discovered SHOP-LIFTER, left to the mercy of Exchange women.
1748. T. DYCHE, A New General English Dictionary (5 ed.), s.v. LIFTER. Also one that goes into mercers or drapers shops under pretence of buying goods, and so conveys some away privately, is called a SHOP-LIFTER.
1759. STERNE, Tristram Shandy, I. xi. More honest, well-meaning people were bubbled out of their goods and money by it in one twelve-month than by pocket-picking and SHOP-LIFTING in seven.
1839. W. H. AINSWORTH, Jack Sheppard, II. viii. Sally Wells, who was afterwards lagged for SHOPLIFTING.
1855. THACKERAY, The Newcomes, liii. There are children who are accomplished SHOP-LIFTERS and liars almost as soon as they can toddle and speak.
