Smooth as a robber's dog

Posted by Pamela on April 22, 2008 at 23:50:

In Reply to: Smooth as a robber's dog posted by John Dunn on April 22, 2008 at 09:04:

: What is the origin of the phrase "smooth as a robber's dog"? This is used to describe someone who is superficially charming but is out for what they can get. I am Australian and so it may originate from this country.

The only "robber's dog" I've heard in Australia is "head like a robber's dog" (meaning ugly). There aren't any hits for the "smooth" version on google. Where did you hear it? Pamela