nark

¹ American  

[nahrk] / nɑrk /

noun

1. British Slang. a stool pigeon or informer.

2. Australian Slang. an annoying person.

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verb (used without object)

1. British Slang. to act as a police informer or stool pigeon.

2. Australian Slang. to become annoyed.

nark ² American  

[nahrk] / nɑrk /

noun

Slang.

1. a variant of narc.

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nark British  

/ nɑːk /

noun

1. an informer or spy, esp one working for the police ( copper's nark )

2. a person who complains irritatingly

   an old nark

3. a spoilsport

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verb

1. to annoy, upset, or irritate

   he was narked by her indifference

2. (intr) to inform or spy, esp for the police

3. (intr) to complain irritatingly

4. to nag someone

5. stop it!

Etymology

Origin of nark¹

First recorded in 1860–65; from Romani word nāk, nak, nok “nose”; akin to Sanskrit nāsā “nose”; the r is unexplained; nose ( def. )

Origin of nark¹

First recorded in 1875–80; of uncertain origin, perhaps from Romani nakh “nose,” later conflated with narc ( def. )

Example Sentences

No 10 certainly hadn't planned for their ideas to get leaked, as they were to the BBC, and were mighty narked that they had.

From BBC

“The concept of ‘No 10 narks’, placed in departments to keep a close eye on ministers and civil servants, is gaining ground,” he said.

From The Guardian

Parts of the press are narked that basically she isn’t Kate Middleton.

From The Guardian

Let me be clear: I am not talking about bullies, narks, saboteurs or anyone who actively strives to make your time at work unpleasant.

From The Guardian

In the Federal government there exists a means, called Waste, Fraud and Abuse, by which one may nark on these types of activity.

From New York Times

Related Words

• agent
• informer
• police officer
• private eye
• private investigator
• prosecutor
• reporter
• sleuth
• spy