tnikker

Maltese

Root
n-k-r
2 terms

Etymology

Apparently from Arabic تَنَكَّرَ (tanakkara). The Maltese sense of workshyness (seen as a grave character flaw) could derive directly from the original meaning “to change to a dubious or negative state”. An alternative path might be “to disguise oneself” → “to feign, affect” → “to act unwillingly”.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈtnɪk.kɛr/

Verb

tnikker (imperfect jitnikker, verbal noun tnikkir)

1. to be workshy, to work little or reluctantly
2. to loiter, hang around, lie in

Conjugation

Conjugation of tnikker
		singular				plural
		1st person	2nd person	3rd person		1st person	2nd person	3rd person
perfect	m	tnikkirt	tnikkirt	tnikker		tnikkirna	tnikkirtu	tnikkru
	f			tnikkret
imperfect	m	nitnikker	titnikker	jitnikker		nitnikkru	titnikkru	jitnikkru
	f			titnikker
imperative			tnikker				tnikkru