peaky blinder

noun3

1. •
   Any ruffian or street gang member.

   • Probably the "hooligan" of London need not cost more to redeem than the " ike " of Manchester or the "peaky blinder" of Birmingham; the differences in expense lie in the method. — 1908
2. •
   (historical) A member of the Peaky Blinders gang. They operated in Birmingham from the end of the 19th century until after the First World War. Gang members had a distinctive appearance: close-cropped hair, bell-bottomed trousers, peaked caps, and a white scarf knotted at the throat.

   • In Birmingham the 'peaky-blinder' and 'slogger' gangs were particularly notorious. — 1984
3. •
   (no longer used) A peaked cap like that worn by a peaky blinder, especially when worn with the peak pulled down to the side of the head.

   • You could practically hear the rusty wheels whirring round beneath his black peaky blinder. — 1968