The word "skelder" is spelled with a "sk" sound at the beginning, followed by an "el" sound and a "der" sound at the end. In IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription, this is written as /ˈskɛldər/. The "sk" sound is produced with the tongue at the front of the mouth and the back of the tongue raised towards the soft palate. The "el" sound is pronounced with the tongue in the middle of the mouth, while the "der" sound requires the tongue to touch the roof of the mouth just behind the teeth.
"Skelder" is a colloquial term that originated in Northern England and primarily refers to engaging in dishonest or deceitful activities with the intention of defrauding others or obtaining something through dishonest means. It is often used in the context of trickery, swindling, or cheating.
This term typically describes individuals who use cunning tactics or manipulation to exploit others for personal gain. Skelders may employ various deceptive strategies, such as false pretenses, misrepresentation, or various forms of fraud, to achieve their objectives. They may target vulnerable individuals, businesses, or institutions with the aim of gaining an unfair advantage or illicit profit.
While the use of the term "skelder" is not confined to any particular domain, it is commonly associated with activities that involve monetary transactions, such as financial scams, bogus schemes, or confidence tricks. It is important to note that the term "skelder" carries a negative connotation, highlighting an individual's lack of moral principles and ethical behavior.
Furthermore, the term can also be used as a verb, where someone is said to be "skeldering" or "skeldering someone" when they are intentionally engaging in fraudulent or dishonest actions. In summary, "skelder" is a term that encompasses various forms of dishonesty and deceitful practices, emphasizing illicit activities aimed at exploiting others for personal gain.
The etymology of the word "skelder" is derived from Middle English, specifically from the noun "skelder" which meant "huckster" or "peddler". This Middle English term then originated from the Old Norse word "skald", which referred to a poet or minstrel. Over time, the meaning of "skelder" evolved, and it came to denote someone who would deceive or cheat others, particularly by selling low-quality or counterfeit goods.