μάγκας

Etymology

From Turkish manga (“squad”), from Spanish manga (“sleeve”), due to the fact that knights used to be given ladies' handkerchiefs before they set off.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈmaŋɡas/
• Hyphenation: μά‧γκας

Noun

μάγκας • (mágkas) m (plural μάγκες, feminine μάγκισσα)

1. (historical, obsolete) mangas (social group in the Belle Époque era's counterculture of Greece known for behaving in a particularly arrogant/presumptuous way, dressing in a distinctive style with a moustache and beads, having a particular limping walk and listening to rebetiko music; the closest English equivalent is spiv or wide boy)
2. (colloquial, derogatory, by extension) tough guy, macho man (person who acts tough and talks in a particular heavy way, the implication usually being they are anything but)

   Ήταν ένας τύπος μάγκας που μάλωνε με οποιονδήποτε τον κοιτούσε στραβά. ― Ítan énas týpos mágkas pou málone me opoiondípote ton koitoúse stravá. ― There was a tough guy who was picking fights with anyone who looked at him wrong.

   Μη μας το παίζεις μάγκας, όλοι ξέρουμε ότι είσαι χέστης! ― Mi mas to paízeis mágkas, óloi xéroume óti eísai chéstis! ― Don't play the tough guy with us, we know you're a wuss!

3. (colloquial, in positive contexts, sometimes sarcastic) tiger, daredevil, lionheart (smart or cunning person who is exceptionally able and resourceful)

   Γιατί δεν περιμένεις στη σειρά; Πιστεύεις ότι είσαι πιο μάγκας από μας; ― Giatí den periméneis sti seirá? Pistéveis óti eísai pio mágkas apó mas? ― Why won't you wait your turn in the queue? Do you think you're braver than us?

   Ο Νίκος ήταν μάγκας και τα κατάφερε. ― O Níkos ítan mágkas kai ta katáfere. ― Nick was a tiger and he managed it.

4. (colloquial, informal) dude, man, bro, guy (term of address between friends)

   Λοιπόν, μάγκες, είμαστε έτοιμοι; ― Loipón, mágkes, eímaste étoimoi? ― Right, guys, are we ready?

   Δεν πειράζει πόσο μυαλό έχεις, μάγκα μου, αλλά τα λεφτά που έχεις. ― Den peirázei póso myaló écheis, mágka mou, allá ta leftá pou écheis. ― It doesn't matter how much brains you have, dude, but how much money you have.