bagman
|bag-man|
/ˈbæɡmən/
person who carries or collects money
Etymology
'bagman' originates from English, specifically the compound of 'bag' and 'man', where 'bag' meant 'a sack or pouch' and 'man' meant 'person'.
'bagman' developed from the 19th-century compound 'bag-man' (literally 'a man with a bag'), originally used for peddlers, collectors, or traveling salesmen; over time the term became specialized to refer to someone who collects or distributes money for illicit or secretive purposes.
Initially it meant 'a man who carried a bag' (often a peddler or collector); over time it evolved to mean 'a person who collects or channels money for criminals, corrupt officials, or secretive causes.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who collects or distributes money on behalf of criminals or corrupt officials, often handling illicit funds such as bribes or protection payments.
The mob sent a bagman to collect the weekly protection payments.
Synonyms
Noun 2
an intermediary who raises or channels funds for political campaigns or organizations, sometimes using secretive or questionable methods.
The campaign relied on a bagman to channel donations from undisclosed sources.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/12/31 09:40