Word of the Day – Fagin

Fagin (n)

fey-gin

A person who teaches crime to others.

An example of eponymous etymology, Fagin is taken directly from Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist (published in 1838).
As a general description for ‘shady types’ fagin was in regular use by 1842.

Example sentences

“I don’t want to see you round there again, he’s a fagin and he’ll get you in trouble”

“Oh he’s a proper fagin; got a coterie of little thieves around him.”