ganef

Definition

A thief; a rascal or scoundrel.

Etymology

From Yiddish גנבֿ (ganef), from Hebrew גנב (ganáv, “thief”).

Example Sentences

• "Right to the end of the street he dragged her, pursued by a hooting crowd. Then he stopped, worn out. "Will you give me that sixpence, you Ganef!""
• "Packed in airtight against the bite of the steely out-of-doors, most of the village of Vodna—except the children and the half-witted Shimsha, the ganef—huddled under its none-too-plentiful coverings that night and prayed and trembled."
• "The streets swarmed with hucksters, ganefs, and handkerchief girls who solicited in the shadows of buildings draped in black bunting."