matchstick men

[worder]

Hi,

i'm watching this movie, and wonder why a con man is called a matchstick man? any ideas?

thank you in advance.

[Greedyfly]

In reference to the film - because they're wooden hehehehehe... seriously though I couldnt find a definition for the term.

[shaneystar2]

I think it has something to do with war veterans who sold matches on street corners. They may have been blind or disabled in some way and have a card saying "family to support " or something similar .A con artist could easily jump on this bandwagon.Just a theory !