dog robber

noun5

1. •
   (slang) An officer's orderly or servant; a factotum; Someone whose job is to run errands for an officer.

   • He had detailed from his company a jovial Irish lad as orderly — the regular army name for the position is dog-robber. — 1892
2. •
   (slang) One whose role is to acquire scarce goods, from military equipment to liquor or perfume, often staying barely within the letter of the law.

   • Trading "enemy flags" for weapons proved to be an effective way of fulfilling some of the requirements, but the dog robber was still using his talents to obtain the more difficult to find items. — 1999
3. •
   [in the plural] (slang) Civilian clothing; mufti.

   • My friend led the way, clad in his jodhpurs, on his trusty black stallion, and I followed, wearing 'dog-robbers' — both of us with haversacks containing our gear for a Spanish weekend. — 1959
4. •
   (no longer used) A menial; a low-level servant.

   • If they would hire me for a dog-robber (a low menial), I would do it for a dime a day," he muttered, " just for the chance to hear them talk. — 1888
5. •
   (offensive, no longer used) A contemptible person, especially one who steals scraps of food.

   • Get out of my daylight, you dog-robber, or I'll walk the little horse around your neck like a three-ringed circus. — 1900