bester
Archaic British slang for a fraudulent bookmaker — someone who takes bets without the intention or means to pay out winnings.
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#1·Apr 28, 2026
Archaic British slang for a fraudulent bookmaker — someone who takes bets without the intention or means to pay out winnings. The term was used at racecourses and sporting events in the 19th and early 20th centuries. A bester would typically take money and disappear before winnings needed to be paid.
He lost his money to a bester at the races and had no way to get it back.
Origin: From 'best' used as a verb in thieves' cant (to swindle or cheat someone) + agentive '-er'; a bester is one who bests (cheats) others. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora (model-assisted, hedged).
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Other words near "bester" (B)
bespokeBess beetleBess bugbessentbest and fairestbest bitterbest girlbestiebestie arcbestie checkbestie codedbestie core
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