flashman

Noun

flashman (plural flashmen)

1. A slick salesman or spin doctor.
   • A flashman just naturally tried to promote and show- off his company at every opportunity. Wasn't that what sales-PR was all about? Even the police departments engaged flashmen.1988, Amazing Stories
   • "They're all Los Angeles flashmen running this thing. Joe McDonald told anyone who'd listen that they're just a bunch of sleazebags opposed to everything we stand for, dragging show biz into it, and he was right."2009, Patricia Morrison, California Screamin, Lulu.com, →ISBN, page 90
2. (obsolete) A pimp.
   • Are not your favourite friends horn-boys and flashmen —1818, William Hone, “Interview with Marquiz Boudoir”, in The Three Trials of William Hone, for Publishing Three Parodies: Viz. the Late John Wilkes's Catechism, the Political Litany, and the...
   • While loud her flashman cries, 'Arise, my ladybird, arise!'1823, Jon Bee, Diet, of the Turf, etc., page 80
3. (obsolete) A woman's boyfriend.
   • Her flashman, in her estimation, is ten times handsomer, certainly more acceptable.1819, London, The London Guide, and Stranger's Safeguard, Etc. (Second Edition.)., page 125
   • My flashman he's a Yankee, with his hair cut short behindc. 1833, Broadside Ballad, "My flashman has gone to sea".
4. (obsolete) Someone who distracts the target of a thief; a confidence trickster.
   • "Stop your jaw, or I'll stop it for you, and teach you another time to know a gentleman from a flashman."1841, Dublin University Magazine: A Literary and Political Journal, page 186
   • By not knowing it: the fellow's manners are so plausible and even insinuating, his appearance so gentlemanly, his voice so winning, that I suffered him to cheat me at Newmarket in the sale of a spavined horse, a regular screw, on the strength of which he claimed my acquaintance ; but as soon as I...1843, Horace Smith, Adam Brown, the merchant. By the author of Brambletye house, page 173