paskudnyak

English

Etymology

From Yiddish פּאַסקודניאַק (paskudnyak), traceable to Polish and Ukrainian.

Noun

paskudnyak (plural paskudnyaks)

1. (derogatory) A nasty or contemptible person.
2. (endearing) A young rascal; a boy who makes mischief.

References

• Leo Rosten, The Joys of Yiddish; applied to "a man or woman."