gonof
Yiddish for pickpocket
A gonof is a thief or swindler, from Yiddish.
The word appears in various spellings—ganef, gonif, ganof—reflecting its oral transmission through Jewish American communities.
It can be affectionate or dismissive depending on context: That little gonof stole the last cookie suggests mild exasperation, while He's a gonof from way back marks someone as genuinely dishonest.
Bent implement or criminal
- swindlerPerson who deceives for money
- grifterPetty fraud perpetrator
- conmanFraud who deceives for profit
- scammerOne who defrauds others
fraudster · cheat · hustler · shyster · charlatan · trickster · rogue · scoundrel
Thief who steals carried items
- burglarOne who breaks in
- pilfererOne who steals trifles
- snatcherOne who seizes quickly
- shoplifterOne who steals merchandise
kleptomaniac · cat burglar · cutpurse · filcher · purloiner · lifter · light-fingered · nimble-fingered
crook
Bent implement or criminal
- swindlerPerson who deceives for money
- grifterPetty fraud perpetrator
- conmanFraud who deceives for profit
scammer · fraudster · cheat · hustler · shyster · charlatan · trickster · rogue · scoundrel · rascal
pickpocket
Thief who steals carried items
shoplifter · kleptomaniac · cat burglar · cutpurse · filcher · purloiner · lifter · light-fingered · nimble-fingered · sneakthief
chutzpah
Shameless, admirable audacity
gonofstraight shooter
Forthright, blunt person
mensch · saint · honest broker · man of honor · straight arrow
gonofbenefactor
One who gives aid
philanthropist · giver · do-gooder · altruist · guardian