gombeen
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English
Etymology
From Irish gaimbín (“monetary interest”).
Pronunciation
Noun
gombeen (countable and uncountable, plural gombeens)
- (archaic) Usury.
- (historical, Ireland) A moneylender during the Great Famine.
- 2002, Joseph O'Connor, Star of the Sea, Vintage, published 2003, page xix:
- It was said by some that he had been a moneylender back in Ireland; a ‘gombeen’ in their slang: a hated figure.
- (Ireland, slang) A mean, underhanded, corrupt person. Usually applied to politicians.
- 1955, J P Donleavy, The Ginger Man, France, published 1955 (France), page 108:
- "Could you give me two ounces of butter?"
"Well, I don't know. We sell butter usually by the weight half pound or a pound."
"Do you sell quarter pounds?"
"Well, I think so."
"Could you give me half a quarter pound?"
"Yes."
"Half a quarter pound then."
Sebastian watching him. O you sly gombeen man. The backs of these stores, most sordid places in the world. You stupid, intolerable oaf.
Derived terms
Adjective
gombeen
- (Ireland) Corrupt, underhanded.
- They were talking gombeen politics.