Fingersmith
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A fingersmith is a person of extreme talent in any skill involving the use of hands. Just as a wordsmith uses words as his art, and as a blacksmith uses metal, a handsmith uses his hands. This term is most often used to refer to an extremely talented thief who has never been caught.
Fingersmiths also refers to a legend about a secret society of conjurers that supposedly dates back to the Renaissance. No member has ever been discovered and they claim to be carriers of an ancient magic book titled "TOTAM" that describes the true nature of how the human mind can be deceived. This book is said to hold magic's lost secrets. There is one master, one apprentice and eight members at one single time. Legend believes that they have underscored some of histories greatest pranks in order to promote rational and logical thinking.
First described in a short story, "The Hitchhiker" by Roald Dahl, in his book, "The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and Six More".