# Artful Dodger

idiom · Slang

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/artful-dodger-cockney
Updated: 2026-04-28

## Meaning

lodger

## Examples

- He is such an artful dodger when he owes me money.
- The politician acted like an artful dodger, avoiding every direct question about the budget scandal.
- Known as an artful dodger in legal circles, the lawyer managed to evade the judge's inquiries with clever, evasive rhetoric.

## Origin

From the nickname of a skillful young pickpocket and rascal in Oliver Twist (1838) by Charles Dickens.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.