Mugger
/ˈmʌɡər/noun
A person who attacks and robs another in a public place.
Did you know?The term 'mugger' is believed to have evolved from the slang 'mug', which originally meant 'face' in 18th-century England, suggesting a connection to deception and disguise.
Etymological Timeline
Late 17th Century
English
mug
“Slang for face or visage, often used in the context of making a grimace.”
Early 19th Century
English
mugging
“To make a face or grimace, often associated with pretending or acting in a deceptive manner.”
1830s
English
mugger
“Emerging slang for someone who attacks or robs, implying an element of disguise or masked intentions.”
Modern English
English
mugger
“A term for a person who commits robbery in public, reflecting a face-to-face confrontation.”