English

Alternative forms

• rat fink

Noun

ratfink ‎(plural ratfinks)

1. An informer or spy.
   • 1968, L. Empey and S. Lubeck, "Conformity and Deviance in the ‘Situation of Company’," American Sociological Review, vol. 33, no. 5, p. 763,

     The first factor is labeled the "Ratfink" factor. This factor consists only of items that measure whether a boy would give information to various adult figures if one of his friends were in trouble.

2. A dislikable or contemptible person.
   • 2002, Kim Barker, "In India ‘Dubyaman’ unlikely hero, perplexed fall guy," Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar.,

     He searches for "dirty ratfink terrorists" and aims to ferret out their "whacko ideas."

Synonyms

• fink

Translations

References

• Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., 1989.
• Random House Webster's Unabridged Electronic Dictionary, 1987-1996.