ganef

[ gah-nuhf ]

noun

, Slang.

1. a thief, swindler, crook, or rascal.

ganef

/ ˈɡɑːnəf /

noun

1. an unscrupulous opportunist who stoops to sharp practice

Word History and Origins

Origin of ganef¹

First recorded in 1920–25; from Yiddish, from Hebrew gannābh

Word History and Origins

Origin of ganef¹

from Yiddish, from Hebrew gannābh thief, from gānnabh he stole

Example Sentences

The diminutive mayor referred to Mr. Lehman, who was Jewish, as a “ganef” — the Yiddish term for thief, but had to back off after enormous criticism.

From New York Times

Well, you shouldn't be surprised at nothing like that, Mawruss, because I didn't bring him along for the simple reason, Mawruss, I don't want no ganef working round my place.

From Project Gutenberg

"Me send my partner to bail out a ganef?"

From Project Gutenberg