scam English · revision 15137

+ {{infobox|confidence=unknown|attested=1963}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /skæm/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is American slang, a carnival term of unknown origin.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024)^(NODE 1998) Etymonline suggests a link with 19th-century British slang [[scamp]], a cheat or swindler.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A trick or swindle, and the verb, to cheat: 1963, in American English.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ A story, rumour or piece of information was also a scam from 1964,^(OED 1989) and a fraudulent bankruptcy from 1966.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1963 – a swindle; to swindle.^(Barnhart 1988)^(OED 1989)

+ * 1964 – a rumour, information.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1966 – a fraudulent bankruptcy.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A dishonest scheme; a [[swindle]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To cheat or swindle someone.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[scammer]]

+ * [[scamster]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[scamp]]

+ * [[swindle]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Older words spelled scam are unrelated: an obsolete form of [[shame]],^(OED 1989) and in Shetland a flaw, crack or injury.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}