Stuart, that description sounds more like a "grifter" (not to be confused with the Raleigh child's model of bicycle of the same name!) - I've never heard of a "shifter" in that context. Are you thinking of the term "shifty" perhaps?
Cheers,
Greg Parker Ann Arbor, MI USA
Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2003 15:03:10 EST
> From: StuartMX4@aol.com
> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: [CR]Translation please
>
>
> We really are divided by a common language. What is a shift lever?
> According
> to my dictionary of American slang, a shifter is one who uses illegal or
> unfair methods for personal gain. Could it all have something to do with
> recent postings about dishonest ebay descriptions. I only ask because I
> want
> to know.
> Stuart (terminally confused) Tallack in Sussex