wheeler-dealer

English

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Noun

wheeler-dealer (plural wheeler-dealers)

1. (informal) A shrewd political or commercial schemer, especially one who is unscrupulous; a hustler; a shady operator.
   • 1990 Nov. 26, Ed Magnuson and Hays Gorey, "You Sold Your Office ," Time:

     Seated at separate tables to underscore their differing levels of involvement with indicted savings and loan wheeler-dealer Charles Keating, the five were fighting to regain reputations earned in a lifetime of public service.

Related terms

• wheel and deal
• wheeler-dealing

Translations

political or commercial schemer

• Danish: krejler c
• French: affairiste (fr) m or f
• German: Geschäftemacher (de) m, Geschäftemacherin f

• Italian: faccendiere (it), intrallazzatore m, macchinatore (it) m
• Russian: махина́тор (ru) m (maxinátor)