Swindle Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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swindle
[หswษชnd(ษ)l ]
Definitions
Context #1 | Verb
fraudulent activity
To swindle means to use deception to deprive someone of money or possessions.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He swindled his elderly neighbor out of her life savings.
- The con artist swindled innocent people out of thousands of dollars.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Historical Context
- Swindling has been documented throughout history, appearing in court records as early as the 1500s.
- Different cultures have their unique terms for deception, highlighting its presence in various societies.
- Major scams during historical periods, like the South Sea Bubble, involved swindling investors out of their money through false promises.
Famous Swindles
- The Ponzi scheme, named after Charles Ponzi in the early 20th century, is a classic example of swindling where returns are paid to earlier investors using new investors' money.
- In 1990, the infamous 'Nigerian Prince' email scam swindled numerous victims by promising large returns for a minor upfront payment.
Literature and Media
- In literature, characters often engage in swindling for various motives, ranging from greed to survival, such as in Mark Twain's 'The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'.
- Films like 'Ocean's Eleven' portray swindling in the form of heists, showcasing how deception can be dramatized for entertainment.
Psychology
- Research shows that swindlers often use charm and persuasion techniques to gain the trust of their victims.
- Studies indicate that people are more likely to fall for swindles when they are in a good mood or mentally distracted.
Origin of 'swindle'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the 17th-century English word 'swindler', thought to derive from the German word 'schwindel', which means 'to deceive'.
- The term has evolved over the centuries, originally used to describe someone who was tricky or cunning.
The word 'swindle' originated in the late 18th century, possibly from the German 'schwindeln' meaning 'to be giddy or in a state of vertigo'. Over time, it evolved to mean 'to cheat or deceive'. The concept of swindling has been present throughout history, with various scams and fraudulent activities targeting unsuspecting individuals.