worker, n.1 1. [mid-19C+] a criminal; usu. in combs. such as badger worker under badger n.1 , charity worker under charity n., dunnigan (worker) under dunnaken n., lush worker under lush n.1 , skin worker under skin n.1 , tail worker under tail n. 2. [1910s] in a pickpocket team, the member who actually picks the victim’s pocket. 1 sub-entry