schnorrer

or shnor·rer

[ shnawr-er, shnohr- ]

noun

, Slang.

1. a person who habitually borrows or lives at the expense of others with no intention of repaying; sponger; moocher; beggar.

schnorrer

/ ˈʃnɔːrə /

noun

1. slang.
   a person who lives off the charity of others; professional beggar

Word History and Origins

Origin of schnorrer¹

First recorded in 1890–95; from Yiddish shnorer “sponger, moocher,” equivalent to shnor(n) “to beg” (compare Middle High German snurren “to hum, buzz, whir”); sense “beg” from beggars' custom of playing a small pipe or whistle ( German Schnurrpfeife ) + -er -er ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of schnorrer¹

Yiddish, from German Schnurrer beggar (who played an instrument), from Middle High German snurren to hum

Example Sentences

What of Wagner, with his delight in imbecile fables, his popinjay vanity, his soul of a Schnorrer?

From Project Gutenberg

"I have as much religion as any Schnorrer on the road," replied the beggar, bridling up.

From Project Gutenberg

And so you run away from the Home and married this Schnorrer?

From Project Gutenberg

Sooner as stay in the old country and be a Schnorrer all your life, you come over here, ain't it?

From Project Gutenberg

"That Schnorrer ain't got money enough to stock a pushcart, let alone a restaurant," he jeered.

From Project Gutenberg