schnorr

Alternative Spellings

shnor, schnor, shnorr

Definitions

• to get something for free, to mooch
• to beg, to request money

Example Sentences

• "You know he's going to try to get you to drive him again today--he's always schnorring rides."
• "To many, this is a pejorative term, implying begging to be a negative attribute. 'Schnorring' is also a respectable and honorable profession – that of fundraising. Many organizations would never remain viable except for the efforts of their member “schnorrers” or the efforts of professional fundraisers." (http://www.tbi-lbk.org/biweb/bulletins/Mar2011bulletin.pdf)

Languages of Origin

Yiddish

Etymology

שנאָר(ע)ן shnor(e)n 'beg, go begging' (verbal stem is שנאָר shnor)

Who Uses This

Older: Jews who are middle-aged and older
Ashkenazim: Jews with Ashkenazi heritage
Organizations: People involved in a professional or volunteer capacity with Jewish nonprofit organizations

Regions

North America

Dictionaries

The New Joys of Yiddish, by Leo Rosten and Lawrence Bush (New York, 2003[1968]).

Notes

See also schnorrer