macher

Definition

An important person, often in the negative sense of self-important; a bigwig.

Etymology

From Yiddish מאַכער (makher, “influential person”, literally “one who makes”) from מאַכן (makhn, “to make”). Cognate, naturally, to English maker and German Macher.

Example Sentences

• "An ordinary man doesn’t jump the Snake River Canyon / with nothing underneath his ass / but a two-wheeled, fin-stabilised X-1 Skycycle / and a seven-figure guarantee from some macher in LA."
• "Finally, Mr. Wall Street macher, there's our own Abe Silverfish, a man who has editing awards from prestige film festivals in Tanganyika and Bali."
• "The meaty and more familiar parts of Anna’s story — passing as a German heiress, ripping off tony hotels, brazenly exploiting narcissistic machers and star-struck working women — are told in flashback as Vivian reports her article."