Catchword: cut sign

Gloss: To track someone by their trail marks.

Note: Used inside the US Customs and Border Protection, which patrols the United States border.

Filed under: English, Jargon

Part of speech: v. phr.

Quotation: He knew that the coyotes who led groups of undocumented workers, as well as the aliens who were without a guide, followed various favorite trails through the rough and diverse terrain. He had to keep on top of those trails and know when they abaondoned one for another. Noe learned their habits from sign cutting, then used his knowledge against them. “You watch the carefully,” he said in his classroom voice. “You have to be willing to cut sign.”

Author:
Robert Lee Maril

Article, document, publication, web site:
Patrolling Chaos

Date of publication:
2004

Page number:
77

This catchword has yet to be researched.