German

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Etymology

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From Rotwelsch (thieves’ cant), from Yiddish בעלדבר (baldover, the one in question, the aforementioned), from Hebrew בעל דבר (baʿal dāvār, literally lord of the speech”, i.e. “he who is central to the affair). The sense developed from the use referring to a source whose name one does not want to reveal.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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Baldower m (strong, genitive Baldowers, plural Baldower)

  1. (archaic) tipster, insider who gives advice to criminals

Declension

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Derived terms

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