the.com/mugging
a stranger's brutal shortcut from your pocket to theirs, no application required.
means The crime of attacking or threatening someone in a public place to rob them of their belongings, usually by force or intimidation.
from From 'mug,' which has meant a face since the 1700s — possibly from grotesque drinking mugs molded into ugly human faces. From 'face' came the verb 'to mug,' first British slang for making faces or, in boxing, hitting an opponent in the face. By the 19th century 'mugging' had drifted from punching a face to assaulting and robbing one, the meaning that mugs us still.
- origin
- Named after grotesque 'mug' faces on old drinking cups.
- theater term
- Actors 'mugging' means overacting for cheap laughs.
- prime hours
- Most happen after dark near cash machines.
- adrenaline
- Victims often forget faces but remember the threat.
central park muggings 1980s — new york city experienced 2,100+ reported muggings annually during the crack epidemic era
london knife crime epidemic — 2018-2019 saw 15,000+ robbery offences with weapons in greater london
johannesburg carjacking crisis — south africa recorded 13,000+ vehicle hijackings in 2018, often involving armed robbery