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Gauner. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
Gauner, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
Gauner in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
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German
Etymology
From thieves’ cant (Rotwelsch) Jauner, Joner (“gambler, cardsharp”), attested ca. 1500 alongside the verb jonen. Further usually derived from Yiddish יוון (Yoven/Yovon, “Greece”), from Hebrew יָוָן (yāwān), because Greeks were said to be skilful cardsharps (compare French Grec in this sense). The anlaut is due to hypercorrection based on the widespread Central German pronunciation of initial g- as /j/. The form was established by Lessing.
Pronunciation
Noun
Gauner m (strong, genitive Gauners, plural Gauner, feminine Gaunerin)
- (informal) petty thief, crook, racketeer
- Synonyms: Ganove, Halunke, Kleinkrimineller
- (informal) sly, cunning person
- Synonyms: Schlitzohr, Schlawiner
Declension
Derived terms
See also
Further reading
- “Gauner” in Duden online
- “Gauner” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache