Autolycan Trickery O Tol Uh Kuhn Adjective Characterized Thievery Autolycus Son

autolycan /o-TOL-uh-kuhn/

adjective

Characterized by thievery or trickery.

[From Autolycus, the son of Hermes and Chione in Greek mythology, who was skilled in theft and trickery. He was able to make himself (or things he touched) invisible, which greatly helped him in his trade. Shakespeare named a con artist after Autolycus in A Winter’s Tale. Earliest documented use: 1890.]

“In a disarming note at the beginning of the book, Adams offers an apology for his autolycan procedures.” - Times Literary Supplement; Jun 5, 1981.

“His art was Autolycan, snapping-up, catching the mean minnows of the commonplace when they were off their guard.” - Anthony Burgess; Tremor of Intent; W.W. Norton; 1966.