smother, v. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

smother v.

1. (UK Und.) to stand guard and cover, e.g. for an accomplice breaking into a premises or while passing contraband in public.

1930		(con. 1910s) D. Mackenzie Hell’s Kitchen 123: One man ‘smothers’ (covers up – stands guard) while another puts the jemmy into the door or window and ‘knocks it off’.
1953		J. Phelan Underworld 153: ‘Gimme therm guns [...] And smother me.’ [...] I knew how to make a smother. I passed the revolvers to Fay, then spread myself [...] making] a small curtain.

2. (Aus. Und.) to use some form of object to obscure the shopkeeper’s view while a shoplifter abstracts a targeted object; also of a pickpocket.

1975

Bulletin (Sydney) 26 Apr. 45: Marg and Ratty Jack was gonna smother with a big box while Limp tugged the goose behind the counter. I was take man behind the box.

In compounds

smother-fart (n.)

a snob, a pretentious individual.

1687

J. Phillips [trans.] Cervantes Don Quixote 509: ’[T]is the most unsanctify’d and unprofitable rabble of Smother-Farts that ever were admitt’d into human Society.

In phrases

smother up (v.)

(Aus.) to gather together, to form a crowd.

1909

‘A “Push” Story’ in Bulletin (Sydney) 2 Sept. 17/1: ‘As they were bouncin’ Pudd to th’ bail-bazaar, we smothered up to do a save’.

In exclamations

I’ll be smothered! (also I’m smothered! you be smothered! I’ll be squashed!)

a general excl.

1831		‘Gallery of 140 Comicalities’ Bell’s Life in London 24 June 1/3: You be smothered, you old Brimstone!
1845		J. Lindridge Sixteen-String Jack 83: I’ll be squashed if she didn’t give him the lovliest spat in the peepers that iver I saw in all my born or unborn days.
1849		Bell’s Life in Sydney 7 Apr. 3/2: ‘You be smothered!’ replied the saucy youth.
1853		Bell’s Life in Sydney 3 Dec. 2/7: Work be smothered, I’m a gentleman.
1861		(con. 1840s–50s) H. Mayhew London Labour and London Poor III 82/2: I’ll be smothered if I’m going to look down that gallows long chimney!
1874		‘A.P.’ [Arthur Pember] Mysteries and Miseries 307: ‘I’m smothered if the Opera-House isn’t your proper hemisphere. Keep it up. Hooray!’.
1898		Boy’s Own Paper 24 Dec. 197: I’ll be smothered if they hain’t took me for a ghost!