bagman

[ bag-man bag-muhn ]

noun

, plural bag·men [bag, -men, bag, -m, uh, n].

1. dishonest official; a person who collects, carries, or distributes illegal payoff money.
2. British. a traveling salesman; drummer.
3. Australian. a tramp; swagman.

bagman

/ ˈbæɡmən /

noun

1. informal.
   a travelling salesman
2. slang.
   a person who collects or distributes money for racketeers
3. informal.
   a person who solicits money or subscriptions for a political party
4. history a tramp or swagman, esp one on horseback
5. slang.
   Also calledbagswinger someone who takes money for a bookmaker

Word History and Origins

Origin of bagman¹

1525–35, for an earlier literally sense; bag + man

Example Sentences

And never has there been a more appropriate bagman to assist the biggest win of a career to date.

From BBC

“It’s hard to believe that a Burmese tycoon that many have referred to as being junta leader Min Aung Hlaing’s bagman got off,” he said.

From New York Times

The U.S. has long accused Saab of being a bagman for Maduro.

From Washington Times

There is his status as a Roy punching bag, a man whose wife announced on their wedding night that she wanted an open marriage and whose father-in-law dangles power before him but uses him as a scapegoat and bagman.

From New York Times

He had become trusted by O'Neill's Continuity IRA group, and he had also positioned himself as the bagman for their US fundraising effort, regularly delivering thousands of dollars from Chicago to O'Neill's group in Ireland.

From BBC

Related Words

• dealer
• drug trafficker