Green’s Dictionary of Slang

combing law n.

[comb n.1 (1) + law n. (1)]

(UK Und.) the stealing of goods from shops by using a hooked pole to drag them from windows.

Show quotations
[UK]Greene Second Part of Conny-Catching in Grosart (1881–3) X 86: A Table of the Lawes contayned in this second part. I Blacke arte. Picking of lockes. 2 Combing Law. Hooking at windowes. 3 Vincents Law. Coofenage at Bowls. 4 Prigging Law. Horfe stealing. 5 Lifting Law. Stealing of any parcels.