pigeon drop
noun
a confidence game or sleight-of-hand swindle whereby cash is extracted from the victim as collateral for a supposed share in a large sum of discovered money, dishonest profits, or gambling winnings, which in fact are nonexistent.
Origin of pigeon drop
1935–40,
Americanism; so called because such swindles orig. began with the dropping of a wallet in front of the intended victim, the
pigeon
Words nearby pigeon drop
pigalle,
pigboat,
pigeon,
pigeon blood,
pigeon breast,
pigeon drop,
pigeon guillemot,
pigeon hawk,
pigeon milk,
pigeon pea,
pigeon pox