I wasn't thinking of "Knickerbocker" Washington Irving's name for old New Yorkers--(and the source of the teams name) but i did think the word for theiving came from "knick-knack" --as in a small thing or trifle.. (on the idea that one nicks a lipstick-- not a car.)

Most likely because on my mothers "knick-knack shelf" there were several small brass items and a miniture copper kettle-- all dutifully polished by me (not a chore-- I actually like polishing brass, but i digress) with Brass-o-- as in the street song
"Shine your buttons with Brass-o, its only tu'pence a tin,
You can buy it it or nick it from woolworths...."

So-- knick-knacks get polished with Brass-o, and Brass-o get knicked from Woolworths's does that make sense?
(Beware if it does-- my weird thought process is infecting your mind! My way of thinking is meme like!)