What about dropping stolen goods over the literal fence of the guy unloading them?
Ryan:
October 15th, 2013 at 12:51 pm
Your dropping it over the literal fence seems implausible. Otherwise, why not call it “trunking” as you carry the goods in your car; or “gloving” as you wear gloves while hoisting the goods; or “grounding” as you drop it on the ground.
Eric:
March 28th, 2015 at 2:49 pm
Great post! I will be investing in raspberry bushes and a larger tea strainer, as neighborhood defencing has left me fenceless…
Krystof Huang:
November 4th, 2019 at 3:50 pm
By all accounts, the origins of “fencing” as a word for “buying contraband” have nothing to do with chain link fences. Nonetheless, I would argue that it makes huge sense to think of the word that way. There are long standing traditions of the inmates of a ghetto, prison or concentration camp meeting at a fence with outsiders or corrupt guards to trade. Also in civilian life, anyone trading with dangerous people might logically conduct the trade across a chain link fence. Not a wall but a fence. So that money or goods could incrementally be tossed over or passed under or through. Meanwhile you are face to face but have an improved chance to escape harmful intent. Similarly, pawn shop people are generally protected by fence-like barriers. Of course, this works best if trading associates are more likely to be armed with knives than guns. However, even if guns are in play–people are less likely to rob and murder when there is no instant getaway, due to crossing back and forth over a fence.
Kim Welan:
October 16th, 2021 at 8:22 am
When in doubt: blame the Pirates! In most Caribbean towns there’s an alley that runs back of the church with a an iron fence that Pirates sold illicitly-acquired wares from.
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Sturgeone:
September 26th, 2013 at 2:31 pm
What about dropping stolen goods over the literal fence of the guy unloading them?
Ryan:
October 15th, 2013 at 12:51 pm
Your dropping it over the literal fence seems implausible. Otherwise, why not call it “trunking” as you carry the goods in your car; or “gloving” as you wear gloves while hoisting the goods; or “grounding” as you drop it on the ground.
Eric:
March 28th, 2015 at 2:49 pm
Great post! I will be investing in raspberry bushes and a larger tea strainer, as neighborhood defencing has left me fenceless…
Krystof Huang:
November 4th, 2019 at 3:50 pm
By all accounts, the origins of “fencing” as a word for “buying contraband” have nothing to do with chain link fences. Nonetheless, I would argue that it makes huge sense to think of the word that way. There are long standing traditions of the inmates of a ghetto, prison or concentration camp meeting at a fence with outsiders or corrupt guards to trade. Also in civilian life, anyone trading with dangerous people might logically conduct the trade across a chain link fence. Not a wall but a fence. So that money or goods could incrementally be tossed over or passed under or through. Meanwhile you are face to face but have an improved chance to escape harmful intent. Similarly, pawn shop people are generally protected by fence-like barriers. Of course, this works best if trading associates are more likely to be armed with knives than guns. However, even if guns are in play–people are less likely to rob and murder when there is no instant getaway, due to crossing back and forth over a fence.
Kim Welan:
October 16th, 2021 at 8:22 am
When in doubt: blame the Pirates! In most Caribbean towns there’s an alley that runs back of the church with a an iron fence that Pirates sold illicitly-acquired wares from.