fink
UK[fɪŋk]US[fɪŋk]
n
A contemptible or unpleasant person
n
A person who informs on others to the authorities; a strikebreaker or informer
v
To inform on someone to the authorities
v
To act as a strikebreaker
Etymology
The word 'fink' emerged in late 19th to early 20th century American slang, with its precise origin obscured. The most plausible theory traces it to the German word 'Fink,' meaning 'finch,' used figuratively in student slang for an unpleasant or frivolous person. Another strong candidate is the Yiddish word 'fink,' meaning 'finch,' which carried similar connotations of frivolity or worthlessness. The term gained its specific, harsh meanings of 'informer' and 'strikebreaker' within the contentious labor movements of the early 1900s, where it became a potent term of contempt. Its journey from a simple bird name to a label for a despised social actor exemplifies how slang evolves to meet the needs of specific subcultures.
Analysis
This is a simplex word. It is a slang term of uncertain origin, likely from German or Yiddish influences, functioning as a complete lexical unit.
Examples
Nobody in the office trusted him after he turned out to be a company fink.
He decided to fink on his former partners in exchange for a lighter sentence.
The union members viewed anyone who crossed the picket line as a fink.