Con man = confidence man = grifter = swindler 1775-85; back formation from swindler < German Schwindler irresponsible person, promoter of wildcat schemes, cheat, derivative of schwindeln to bedizzy (hence dizzy-minded, irresponsible), defraud, equivalent to schwind- (akin to Old English swindan to languish) + -( e) l- -le + -er -er1 We hold a fascination with grifters in movies and […]