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big mitt man

Dated American criminal slang for a cardsharp — a skilled card cheat who uses sleight of hand, marked decks, or other tricks to fleece other players at the card table.

ˈbɪɡ ˈmɪt ˈmæn46 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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#1·Apr 28, 2026

Dated American criminal slang for a cardsharp — a skilled card cheat who uses sleight of hand, marked decks, or other tricks to fleece other players at the card table. The 'big mitt' likely references the sleight-of-hand dexterity required, as if the cheat's hands (mitts) were doing most of the dishonest work. A vivid piece of old-school underworld vocabulary from the era of riverboat gamblers and back-room poker games.

Word got around that the stranger at the table was a big mitt man, so the regulars quietly folded their hands and walked away.
Origin: Editorial expansion authored on Slangora (model-assisted, hedged).
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#2·Apr 26, 2026

(slang, dated) A cardsharp.

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