double shuffle, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

double shuffle n.

[farming jargon double shuffle, a sudden shift of bucking style by a bronco, intended to throw an unwanted rider. Note also UK double shuffle, a shuffling, noisy dance, once popular among costermongers]

1. (US) a doublecross.

1890–1904		Farmer & Henley Sl. and Its Analogues.
1922		Joyce Ulysses 56: Doing a double shuffle with the town travellers. Square it with the boss and we’ll split the job, see?
1949		W.R. Burnett Asphalt Jungle in Four Novels (1984) 222: The double shuffle? But why? Maybe a hotter prospect?
1952		W.R. Burnett Little Men, Big World 44: You’ve given plenty guys the double-shuffle.
1960, 1975		Wentworth & Flexner DAS.

2. (UK Und.) the act of repeatedly walking up and down one’s prison cell.

1888

R. Barnett Police Sergeant C 21 244: He may sleep [...] or he may walk up and down his cell; indulge in the luxury of a ‘double shuffle’ with his feet.

3. (US) a quick get-away.

1947

J. Maclaren-Ross Of Love And Hunger 170: I made a bolt for the exit. I hoped to Christ Sukie hadn’t played another double shuffle on me.

In phrases

come the double shuffle (v.)

to double-cross.

1840

Morning Herald (N.Y.) 29 Jan. 1/1: [headline] A Sanctimonious Loafer, and how he robbed his fellow boarder, and how he tried to come the double shuffle over [a police officer].