Petty gangster (7) Crossword Clue
Answer: HOODLUM (7 letters)
The answer to the crossword clue "Petty gangster" with 7 letters is "HOODLUM".A hoodlum is a person involved in petty criminal activities, often associated with street-level offenses or gangster behavior. The term typically refers to someone who engages in disruptive or unlawful acts, often in an urban setting.
Why “Hoodlum” Fits
The clue asks for a 7-letter word meaning “petty gangster.” The answer, HOODLUM, fits neatly:
- Petty gangster: "Hoodlum" refers to a young or small-time criminal, delinquent, or troublemaker—someone involved in petty crime, vandalism, or street gangs rather than organized crime syndicates.
- Everyday usage: The word often describes people whose lawbreaking is more about nuisance or intimidation than sophisticated criminal enterprise.
This direct and evocative term perfectly captures the clue’s ‘petty’ and ‘gangster’ combination.
“Hoodlum” has a colorful place in English slang and literature:
- Origin: First recorded in late 19th-century American English, possibly from San Francisco slang, its exact origin is unclear but may relate to the German “Hudelum” (rowdy person) or the name of a street gang.
- Usage: “Police arrested a hoodlum for smashing windows.” “Those hoodlums hang around the corner looking for trouble.” The word evokes images of street-level crime and youthful mischief.
- Distinction: Hoodlum is milder than terms like “mobster” or “gangster,” which indicate higher-level or more organized criminal activity.
“Hoodlum” bridges the clue’s requirements for both the small-time and the unsavory nature of the subject.
In quick crosswords, clues like “petty gangster (7)”:
- Target slang and familiar crime-related nouns—“hoodlum,” “villain,” “bandito.”
- The answer length (7) singles out "hoodlum," easily distinguishing it from shorter or longer synonyms.
- When clues specify “petty,” expect vocabulary referring to lower-level wrongdoing rather than notorious mafia figures.
Spotting both tone and length in the clue quickly leads to “hoodlum.”
