Verb (thieves’).—1. To search; to run the rule over (q.v.); Especially
applied to the search made, after arrest, for evidence of character,
antecedents, or identity. Hence, careful examination of any kind.
1781. Geo. Parker, Life’s Painter, p. 179. They frisk him? That is
search him. Ibid., p. 122. Putting a lap-feeder in our sack, that
you or your blowen had prig’d yourselves though we should stand the
frisk for it.
1828. Jon. Bee, Pict. of London. p. 69. The arms are seized from
behind by one, whilst the other frisks the pockets of their
contents.
1852. Judson, Mysteries, etc., of New York, ch. vii. Vel sare, the
offisare ’ave frisk me: he ’ave not found ze skin or ze dummy, eh?
1859. Matsell, Vocabulum, or Rogue’s Lexicon, p. 21. ‘The knuck was
copped to rights, a skin full of honey was found in his kick’s poke
by the copper when he frisked him’; [i.e.] the pickpocket was
arrested, and when searched by the officer a purse was found in his
pantaloons pocket full of money.
2. (thieves’).—To pick pockets; to rob. To frisk a cly = to empty a
pocket.
1852. Judson, Mysteries, etc. of New York, ch. iv. You’re as good a
knuck as ever frisked a swell.
1883. Daily Telegraph, 13 June, p. 7, col. 3. The ragged little
wretches who prowl in gangs about the suburbs, who crawl on their
hands and knees into shops in order to ‘frisk the till.’