second-story man: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, dated slang.
Quick answer
What does “second-story man” mean?
A burglar who enters a building by climbing to an upper floor, typically to avoid ground-floor security.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A burglar who enters a building by climbing to an upper floor, typically to avoid ground-floor security.
A skilled, stealthy thief specializing in entering premises via upper-level windows, balconies, or roofs. The term carries an old-fashioned, almost romanticised connotation of a daring and acrobatic criminal.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily an Americanism. The British equivalent is typically 'cat burglar'. The UK might understand 'second-storey man' but would rarely use it spontaneously.
Connotations
US: Evokes early-to-mid 20th century crime stories. UK: If used, seen as an Americanism; 'cat burglar' is more neutral and contemporary.
Frequency
Very low frequency in modern usage in both regions, mostly found in historical or period contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “second-story man” in a Sentence
The [ADJ] second-story man [VERB] the apartment.They described him as a second-story man.Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Possibly in criminology or historical studies discussing types of burglary.
Everyday
Rare; used for colourful description of a burglary.
Technical
Not a standard legal or law enforcement term; more colloquial.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “second-story man”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “second-story man”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “second-story man”
- Using 'second-floor man' (possible but non-standard).
- Confusing with 'second-hand man' (which means an assistant).
- Spelling 'story' as 'storey' in American context.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Essentially yes, especially in modern understanding. 'Cat burglar' is the more common and contemporary term, especially in British English, while 'second-story man' is an older, more specifically American slang term focusing on the method of entry.
No, it's a generic term. 'Second-story' symbolises any floor above the ground floor. It highlights the criminal's method of avoiding ground-level doors and windows, which are often more secure.
It is very rare in contemporary use. It has a distinctly old-fashioned, almost pulp-fiction feel. Modern reports would use terms like 'burglar', 'intruder', or 'cat burglar'.
Only metaphorically or humorously. For example, you might jokingly call a window cleaner who works on high-rises a 'second-story man', playing on the literal meaning and the word's usual criminal connotation.
A burglar who enters a building by climbing to an upper floor, typically to avoid ground-floor security.
Second-story man is usually informal, dated slang. in register.
Second-story man: in British English it is pronounced /ˌsɛkənd ˈstɔːri ˌmæn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌsɛkənd ˈstɔri ˌmæn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's a regular second-story man. (Used metaphorically for someone who is stealthy or enters places illicitly.)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a man climbing to the SECOND STORY of a building to steal, bypassing the main door.
Conceptual Metaphor
CRIME IS A PERFORMANCE/SPECTACLE (daring, acrobatic). A BUILDING'S SECURITY IS CONCENTRATED AT ITS BASE (hence targeting upper floors).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the term 'second-story man' be LEAST appropriate?