The earliest use of the noun “cadger” in the 15th century was for itinerant dealers who “cadged” (carried) their wares from town to town. Later the term was applied to beggars and tramps (leading to our modern use of the verb “to cadge” to mean “to beg”).

Where does the word codger originate?

Don't fall for it. "Codger" derives, not from falconry, but from the verb "cadge," which once meant "to carry about." During the 1400s itinerant peddlers cadged their wares — butter, eggs, poultry, fake Rolex watches — from town to town and so became known as "cadgers."

Is codger a bad word?

Word forms: codgers

Old codger is a disrespectful way of referring to an old man.