fink

American  

[fingk] / fɪŋk /

noun

1. a strikebreaker.

2. a labor spy.

3. an informer; stool pigeon.

4. a contemptible or thoroughly unattractive person.

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verb (used without object)

1. to inform to the police; squeal.

2. to act as a strikebreaker; scab.

verb phrase

1. fink out

   1. to withdraw from or refuse to support a project, activity, scheme, etc.; renege.

      He said he'd lend me his motorcycle, but he finked out.

   2. to become untrustworthy.

fink British  

/ fɪŋk /

noun

1. a strikebreaker; blackleg

2. an informer, such as one working for the police; spy

3. an unpleasant, disappointing, or contemptible person

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verb

1. to inform (on someone), as to the police

Usage

What does fink mean? Fink is an insulting name that commonly refers to someone who informs the police or other authorities when others break the law or the rules—an informant or snitch. It can also be used as a verb in the same way that snitch can.In the context of labor unions, fink refers to a strikebreaker—someone who works during the strike (a scab) or finds workers to replace the striking ones. It can also be used as a verb in this sense. As a noun, it can also refer to a person placed by management to spy on union activities.More generally, fink can be used to refer to an overall unpleasant or untrustworthy person.In all of its uses, it is very negative, though not as common as some of its synonyms, like snitch and scab. Fink is used in the similar term ratfink, which refers to a snitch or a despicable person.Example: That fink told the teacher I was going to cut class.

Etymology

Origin of fink

1900–05, compared with German Fink literally, finch, colloquial epithet for an undesirable person, especially an untidy or loose-living one (often in compounds, as Duckfink sycophant, Schmierfink untidy writer); but the transmission of this word to English and the range of meanings of the English word have not been clarified fully

Example Sentences

The first has a group of students refusing to name which among them mocked the teacher; the second finds one of them willing to fink.

From The Wall Street Journal

But finking out in favor of the Chiefs is just about as low as I could go.

From Washington Post

AND YET he has been betrayed, and these “rat fink” types are threatening to stymie him.

From Washington Post

As Gilford trenchantly points out, other “finks,” such as Elia Kazan, went on to deathless fame; others — more resolute and courageous — lapsed into undeserved obscurity.

From Los Angeles Times

He had finked, not been with them, and he would not, as we have seen, be with them that night in front of the Hilton.

From The New Yorker