Shyster
A shyster (possibly derived from the German Scheißer, "shitter"[1]) is an individual who tends to be flexible with his choice of words and sensitive to the sensibilities of his audience when he discusses fiscally pertinent topics.
Translation: a shyster is accustomed to excrete torrents of bullshit over the heads of suckers, who then reward him by giving him enormous wads of cash.
Examples
A large number of ministers of religion fall into this category, particularly cult leaders and televangelists. This category also includes such creationists as are not completely insane, but are merely shilling for pseudoscience.
Extremist politicians, such as those in the right wing of today's Republican Party, or the CPUSA (especially pre-1956
The term is also sometimes applied to certain trial lawyers, particularly of the ambulance-chasing variety.
References
- The term's etymology is not agreed upon. It may have derived from German, or a lawyer named Schuster, or perhaps even Shylock from The Merchant of Venice. See here.