This rig consists in feeding a man and a dog for nothing, and is carried on thus: Three men, one of who pretends to be sick and unable to eat, go to a public house: the two well men make a bargain with the landlord for their dinner, and when he is out of sight, feed their pretended sick companion and dog gratis.
HOOK AND SNIVEY, WITH NIX THE BUFFER
Meaning of HOOK AND SNIVEY, WITH NIX THE BUFFER in English
Slang English vocab. Английский сленговый словарь. 2012