1823. Bee, Dict. Turf. s.v. Hook and Snivvy—practised by soldiers in quarters when they obtain grub for nix.
1835 in Comic Almanack 1835–43 (Hotten), p. 17, Zoological Society at Hookem Snivey. A new animal has been transmitted from No-Man’s Land, which has been named the Flat-Catcher.
2. (old).—An impostor as described in sense 1.
3. (streets).—A contemptuous or sarcastic affirmation, accompanied by the gesture of taking a sight (q.v.) or playing hookey (q.v.).
4. (thieves’).—A crook of thick iron wire in a wooden handle, used to undo the wooden bolts of doors from without.
1801. Edgeworth, Irish Bulls, With that I ranges ’em fair and even on my hook ’em snivey, up they goes.
Hooked, adj. (old).—See quot.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Hookt, over-reached, Snapt, Trickt.
1725. New Cant. Dict., s.v.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.