Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

smuggler's bible

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.24 in modern English

Syllables: smug-gler's bible
IPA

22

Scrabble Score

14

Letters

2

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A book that has had some of its interior removed for the purpose of storing small items.

Slang

noun

Alternative form of smuggler's bible.

Example Sentences

"Inside the Bible's cover is pasted a bookseller's label identifying the article: “A Smuggler's Bible. Used by smugglers on both sides of the Atlantic in the early nineteenth century to conceal small objects of value. Actually a mere box, this ‘Bible’ could be used to contain any assortment of goods the smuggler could get into it. ca. 1820 (?)”"
"As the novel proceeds, various kinds of smuggling and allied dishonesties such as counterfeiting and forging are worked into the text, and by the end Brooke's manuscript is placed in a smuggler's bible on shipboard."
"A ‘smuggler's bible’ is a facsimile of the sacred book which contains nothing but can carry anything."
"I filled him in on Simon and the vacuum press before I explained about my condolence visit the past Friday, and the tabs of Ecstacy in the smuggler's Bible."

Etymology

Named after the smuggling practice of hiding contraband inside large hollowed-out books, especially Bibles. See Modern Mechanix for a 1928 example. Apparently it began as a term of art amongst book dealers; see the 1966 citation.

Usage

Slang

Inflected Forms

smugglers' bibles (plural) smuggler's Bibles (plural)

Synonyms

hollow book

Questions

What does smuggler's bible mean?: A book that has had some of its interior removed for the purpose of storing small items.
Where does smuggler's bible come from?: Named after the smuggling practice of hiding contraband inside large hollowed-out books, especially Bibles. See Modern Mechanix for a 1928 example. Apparently it began as a term of art amongst book dealers; see the 1966 citation.

How to pronounce smuggler's bible

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