lush-worker

lush-worker (plural lush-workers)

1. (slang) A petty thief who steals from drunks who are unconscious.
   • 1880, William Tucker Washburn, The Unknown City: A Story of New York, page 259:

     The lush-worker looked pleased at Frank's flattery, and forthwith shutting his right hand firmly together, placed it on the table, and invited the admiration of the company to a brilliant which sparkled upon the middle finger.

   • 1939, Cornell Woolrich, Through a Dead Man's Eye:

     Once the order goes through, I won't even be on Homicide any more. What chance'll I have then, running in lush-workers and dips?

   • 1999, James Campbell, This is the Beat Generation: New York, San Francisco, Paris, →ISBN, page 49:

     Under the tutelage of Phil White, who had probably pimped in his time, Burroughs learned a new trade, a Jack Black trade: he became a lush-worker.

• lush-roller