Burglar Slang

[screenwriter6]

I'm working on a screen play about burglars. I'd like to get some information about authentic slang used by burglars and home invaders. In addition to the advantage of making my film script more realistic, I feel its useful for civilians to have a working knowledge of criminal slang.

One term I'm especially interested in is any word burglars may have for the day they intend to rob a house. Is there a burglar's version of "d-day"?

Also what do they typically call the burglary? Would it be considered a "heist" or would they use a phrase that doesn't sound so high profile.

[Nole795]

It would be dependant on the culture/race/socioeconomic/region of area of the suspect. I have had several burglars tell me they "robbed" a house. Which wasnt a robbery (the taking of property by force or threat of violence) but a burglary (breaking and entering with intent to commit a crime). This was a lingo they used in South Miami, FL. I cant say they would answer the same way in Los Angeles.

As far as robbery, the suspect(s) would say they robbed a victim, there was no "lingo" that I was aware of.

IMO your giving the criminal way too much intelligence. I am not aware of any code words black ops sort of communication between burglars. If your writing about an educated criminal cell made up of Harvard Grads who are Breaking into jewelry stores, then I am afraid I wont be much help.

The burglars I caught were the neighborhood crackhead looking to boost anything within a 3 block radius of his dealers house. Not much planning or "lingo" needed. Most burglars I knew worked alone, except for juveniles.

[screenwriter6]

Good point about the difference of location. I've never pinned down where my story would take place but I've often imagined the burglars with jersey accents.

I don't know if anyone's familiar with "It takes a Thief" but those are the kind of burglars I'm most interested in. The show features two reformed burglars who demonstrate the techniques they formerly used to scout out and rob houses. I'm sure they're not representative of the average burglar, but then again I don't know of many films about average thieves.

[Ispbear]

My all time favorite from a "street gang" thug was that they were going to go get some expensive "burgers" at such and such address. A funny play on the McDonald's ham-burglar and the expensive was a reference to the place having valuable items they could pawn.
I've also heard the term used of pimping a house like a "Ho". I assume it meant they were going to go ransack it and take what they wanted from it.

I'm sure some other might be along that will provide some other creative things they have heard.

[Sgt. Slaughter]

I think you should do some field work to make your writing more authentic.

Out to the ghetto, you go!!!! Or barrio...or trailer park...

[Legoate]

Try watching Jersey Shore and copy them. All I've seen is snippets of the show but have already been exposed to way more Jersey slang than I ever wanted to hear.

[bluelightzgrl]

Try watching Jersey Shore and copy them. All I've seen is snippets of the show but have already been exposed to way more Jersey slang than I ever wanted to hear.

Also, you can use NetLingo The Internet Dictionary or Urban Dictionary.

[Safety Steve]

I'm working on a screen play about burglars. I'd like to get some information about authentic slang used by burglars and home invaders. In addition to the advantage of making my film script more realistic, I feel its useful for civilians to have a working knowledge of criminal slang.

One term I'm especially interested in is any word burglars may have for the day they intend to rob a house. Is there a burglar's version of "d-day"?

Also what do they typically call the burglary? Would it be considered a "heist" or would they use a phrase that doesn't sound so high profile.

Phrases I have heard are going shopping , boost some things or just boost.

Be Safe.

[screenwriter6]

I think I'll throw boost in there somewhere. Its got a nice ring to in, and its nonspecific so the ethnicity of the burglars doesn't have to be decided before casting.

[BJJVad]

I believe "Robble, Robble" is still the preferred lingo.

[BP348]

It would be dependant on the culture/race/socioeconomic/region of area of the suspect. I have had several burglars tell me they "robbed" a house. Which wasnt a robbery (the taking of property by force or threat of violence) but a burglary (breaking and entering with intent to commit a crime). This was a lingo they used in South Miami, FL. I cant say they would answer the same way in Los Angeles.

As far as robbery, the suspect(s) would say they robbed a victim, there was no "lingo" that I was aware of.

IMO your giving the criminal way too much intelligence. I am not aware of any code words black ops sort of communication between burglars. If your writing about an educated criminal cell made up of Harvard Grads who are Breaking into jewelry stores, then I am afraid I wont be much help.

The burglars I caught were the neighborhood crackhead looking to boost anything within a 3 block radius of his dealers house. Not much planning or "lingo" needed. Most burglars I knew worked alone, except for juveniles.

+1 to the above

I've never watched the show you're talking about so I wouldn't know what kind of "lingo" they use.