blagging
n.— «The Anderson’s were able to obtain sensitive information through a process known as “blagging.” This is when bogus phone calls are made to organisations such as banks and utilities to obtain information such as details of people’s bank and mortgage accounts and tax returns. For example, “blaggers” pretend to be employees of these organisations and deceive real members of staff into disclosing personal information about individuals.» —“Couple found guilty of stealing personal data” by Dinah Greek Computeract!ve (United Kingdom) Nov. 15, 2006. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
The words tough, through, and dough all end in O-U-G-H. So why don’t they rhyme? A lively new book addresses the many quirks of English by explaining the history of words and phrases. And: have you ever been in a situation where a group makes...
A librarian opens a book and finds a mysterious invitation scribbled on the back of a business card. Another discovers a child’s letter to the Tooth Fairy, tucked into a book decades ago. What stories are left untold by these forgotten...