A swindler. (Probably peculiar to Philadelphia; but see 1845.)
1842. The burners make better plots than most of our dramatists. Moreover, burners, male and female, are mortal men and women, have their frailties, and miss their figures occasionally.—Phila. Spirit of the Times, Jan. 15.
1842. An old convict and notorious burner, just out of the Moyamensing tombs, was caught in the vicinity of St. Stephen’s Church, trying to wheedle a countryman. A lot of bad money, a book for telling fortunes, a pack of playing cards, and other things belonging to the burner’s calling, were found upon his person.—Id., Feb. 21.
1842. BURNERS. This is a slang term by which the police designate a particular branch of those industrious individuals who live by their wits…. Occasionally they snatch money from the hands of strangers; again, they entice some willing dupe into a game of cards, and pluck him as bare as an unfledged pigeon.—Id., May 7.
1844. Two negro burners were arrested in the act of trying to burn two Pottsville boatmen with a plated chain worth about fifteen cents.—Id., Aug. 19.
1845. The Empire Club [of New York] was organized in July last, and it consisted of gamblers, pickpockets, droppers, burners, thimble-riggers, and the like.—Mr. Clingman of North Carolina, House of Representatives, Jan. 6: Congressional Globe, p. 118, Appendix.
