gunsel: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowSpecialized / Archaic Slang
Quick answer
What does “gunsel” mean?
Originally (Yiddish/German): a young, naive boy or apprentice. In American crime slang (from misunderstanding): a hired gunman, a thug.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Originally (Yiddish/German): a young, naive boy or apprentice. In American crime slang (from misunderstanding): a hired gunman, a thug.
Primarily known from Dashiell Hammett's 'The Maltese Falcon', where it was misread by typesetters as 'gunsel' instead of 'gonif' (thief), leading to its adoption in hardboiled fiction to mean a young, often subservient, criminal or gunman. It retains a strong association with vintage crime fiction.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The word is almost exclusively American in usage, stemming from American Yiddish influence and American crime fiction. It is virtually unknown in British English.
Connotations
In American English, it connotes 1920s-40s gangster films and hardboiled detective novels. It is a period piece of slang.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties, but slightly more likely to be encountered in historical American texts or discussions of film noir.
Grammar
How to Use “gunsel” in a Sentence
[Determiner] + gunsel[Adjective] + gunselgunsel + [Prepositional Phrase (for/of)]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gunsel” in a Sentence
verb
American English
- (Not used as a verb.)
adverb
American English
- (Not used as an adverb.)
adjective
American English
- (Not used as an adjective.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Rarely used, only in literary or historical linguistics studies discussing slang etymology or Dashiell Hammett.
Everyday
Never used in contemporary everyday conversation.
Technical
Not used in any technical field outside of specific literary analysis.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gunsel”
- Using it in modern contexts.
- Assuming it is a common synonym for 'gangster'.
- Pronouncing it /ˈɡʌnzəl/ (with a 'z' sound).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an extremely rare and archaic piece of slang, primarily known to fans of classic crime fiction or etymology enthusiasts.
No. It originally came from a German/Yiddish word for a young boy or goose. In American prison slang, it took on a specific meaning. The 'gunman' meaning is a later mistake that became famous.
Only if you are writing about the history of slang, Dashiell Hammett, or linguistic errors. It is not appropriate for general formal writing.
Wilmer Cook, the young, violent henchman in Dashiell Hammett's 'The Maltese Falcon' (and the subsequent film adaptations), is the archetypal gunsel.
Originally (Yiddish/German): a young, naive boy or apprentice. In American crime slang (from misunderstanding): a hired gunman, a thug.
Gunsel: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡʌns(ə)l/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡʌnsəl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms. The word itself is idiomatic.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a GUN and a PUPIL (student/apprentice) who is a 'gun pupil' = GUNSEL. Remember it's from old gangster movies.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PERSON IS A TOOL (specifically, a gun). The gunsel is an instrument of violence for another.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary origin of the modern meaning of 'gunsel'?