‖ nudnik U.S.
(ˈnʊdnɪk)
Also nudnick.
[Yiddish nudnik, f. Russ. n{uacu}dnȳĭ tedious, boring; see -nik.]
Someone who pesters, nags, or irritates; a bore. Also attrib.
| 1947 New Republic 14 Apr. 42 The patrons of New York's Ruban Bleu are as boorish a collection of nudnicks as ever assembled in a public place. 1949 Amer. Fabrics No. 9. 108 Nudnick, a bothersome customer. 1950 Commentary 10 Dec. 558/2 It makes no difference to me if these nudniks happen to be atheists. 1955 T. Sturgeon in E. Crispin Best SF Two (1956) 141 You are a nowhere type, a nudnick type, nothing! 1961 John o' London's 28 Sept. 345/2 What a pair of nudniks they are. 1964 W. Markfield To Early Grave (1965) i. 12 ‘Worrier. Pest. Nudnick.’ She lashed out at him. 1968 P. Durst Badge of Infamy v. 39 Nudnik is a kind of insulting endearment—a sort of lovable nitwit. 1968 L. Rosten Joys of Yiddish 265 A nudnik is someone who nudzhes or pesters. 1972 New York 8 May 70/1 Too many of our nudnik moviegoers..dread the prospect of sharing their pleasures with the plain folks. |