Quote:
Originally Posted by JollyElm
It's no surprise that, in English slang, to "nick" something (as in Slapnicker) is to steal.
Fraud
The illicit senses of 'nick' start in the later 16th century in reference to what was later 'chiseling': cheating or defrauding debtors and the poor for one's own benefit (sense III.15.a).
"How doth he nick the debter now by hault exacting wayes."
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And I thought the name had to do with other inappropriate behavior:
knickˇers (nĭk′ərz)
pl.n.
1.
a. Long bloomers formerly worn as underwear by women and girls.
b. Chiefly British Panties.
2. Full breeches gathered and banded just below the knee.
[Short for knickerbockers.]
Slapping such might result in receiving a slap in return.