Is there a famous book where the narrator repeatedly calls people finks?

November 3, 2012 2:19 AM

Is there a famous book where the narrator repeatedly calls people finks? I vaguely recall this. I've tried searching Google Books and found Invisible Man and How to Eat Fried Worms but neither of these seem right.
posted by bertrandom to Writing & Language (7 answers total)

Response by poster: Oh, and it's not Catcher in the Rye. That's the first one I checked.
posted by bertrandom at 2:22 AM on November 3, 2012

Best answer: Harriet the Spy! Harriet's dad does this!

A quick search turns up this quote: '“Finks, finks, double-barreled rat, rat, rat finks, finks, finks,” Harriet hears her dad say about his colleagues at one point.' and I remember more like it scattered throughout.
posted by estlin at 3:31 AM on November 3, 2012 [9 favorites]

What about 'The Great Brain' books?
posted by bquarters at 4:02 AM on November 3, 2012 [2 favorites]

I remember it being used a lot in the Adrian Mole books by Sue Townsend, too.
posted by nomis at 4:44 AM on November 3, 2012

Yes, Harriet the Spy.

I also remember it in How To Eat Fried Worms. Might have been "ratfink", but same basic idea, no?

When did people stop saying that? And why? Such a good word.
posted by Sara C. at 6:41 AM on November 3, 2012 [1 favorite]

Not a book, but the Wizard of Id comic strip uses that word a lot. I never understood it when I was a kid.
posted by showbiz_liz at 6:45 AM on November 3, 2012

Definitely Harriet the Spy. One of my favorite books growing up.
posted by E3 at 11:26 AM on November 3, 2012