poucave

French

Etymology

Borrowed from Romani pucava (“to say, to tell”), of disputed origin. Also found as Spanish puchar.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /pu.kav/

• Audio

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Noun

poucave f (plural poucaves)

1. (slang) snitch, informer

   Synonyms: balance, pookie

   • 2017, “Gustavo”, in Elh Kmer (lyrics), Indépendant:

     Fais pas le bandit si t’es une poucave!

     Don’t play at being a crook if you're a nark!

Verb

poucave

1. (slang) to betray, to snitch on

References

• Helzle-Drehwald, Bernhard (2004) Der Gitanismo im spanischen Argot (Kölner Romanistische Arbeiten; 83), Geneva: Librairie Droz, →ISBN, page 320