wide boy/spiv

[airbolt]

Does anyone know why Black-Marketeers were called " Wide Boys" or "Spivs" ?. I know this has gone out of use and is more associated with the 1930's and 1940's ( ie Pvt Walker in Dads Army ) but I was curious as to the derivation.

[Quizmonster]

'Wide' has meant 'involved in shady dealings' since the 19th century and 'spiv' is probably derived from 'spiffy', meaning 'well-dressed' since about the same time. These men were more or less the only people making any money after the war and hence their ability to dress markedly better than everybody else from their ill-gotten gains.

[bluedolphin]

when ska music was popular again back when ??? 70s-80s weren't some of the groups called wide boys too...I've also heard the phrase he is wide to that ...meaning he is in the know about that.

[beale]

i think the ska fans were rudeboys.

[bluedolphin]

rude boys...that's it...thanks beale. .....U've done to much much to young ur married with a kid when u should be havin fun with meeeee.....

[Jamie Lewis]

New film coming out soon called 'Spivs' starring Nick Moran of Lock Stock fame and not much else.