thimble-rig

The constitutional thimble-rig is carried on today, dear boy, more seriously than ever.

The Magic Skin 2007

These people have been playing thimble-rig and casino; that story-teller has been shouting his tale of Antar for forty years; and they are just as happy with this amusement now as when first they tried it.

Notes of a Journey From Cornhill to Grand Cairo 2004

I believe was once swindled at thimble-rig, and was called

In Chancery 2004

Conjuring appears also to have been known to them, at least thimble-rig, or the game of cups, under which a ball was put, while the opposite party guessed under which of four it was concealed.

Museum of Antiquity A Description of Ancient Life

These public tombolas are like too many thimble-rig tables, ostensibly started for charitable objects, and it is popularly whispered that the Roman nobility and heads of the Church purchase vast numbers of these tickets, and never fill them up; but then again, they are not large enough for shaving, and are too small for curl-papers; besides, six hundred and fifty _scudi_!

The Continental Monthly, Vol. 1, No. 6, June, 1862 Devoted To Literature and National Policy Various

Atop a portable pair of steps a pale, well-dressed young man was playing thimble-rig on his knees with a gilt pea.

The Gray Dawn Stewart Edward White 1909

Swithin, who I believe was once swindled at thimble-rig, and was called

The Forsyte Saga, Volume II. Indian Summer of a Forsyte In Chancery John Galsworthy 1900

Swithin, who I believe was once swindled at thimble-rig, and was called

The Forsyte Saga - Complete John Galsworthy 1900

They never did a wild thing -- unless it was your great-uncle Swithin, who I believe was once swindled at thimble-rig, and was called 'Four-in-hand Forsyte' because he drove a pair.

Complete Project Gutenberg John Galsworthy Works John Galsworthy 1900

The after-events showed that they were designed by the majority as an adroit piece of thimble-rig.

American Lutheranism Volume 2: The United Lutheran Church (General Synod, General Council, United Synod in the South) 1894