cadge

To cadge something means to get it by repeatedly asking others, usually for a small or everyday thing when you lack an easier way to get it. Think of a child cadging sweets from their grandparents or a traveler cadging a ride. It is not the same as outright begging, but it can have a similar tone of need. You might cadge a light for your cigarette, a couple of coins for a cup of coffee, or a small favor when money is not an option.

The word has a slightly old-fashioned feel and often suggests a bit of cheekiness or resourcefulness in the person doing it. It implies informal social bargaining, where the request is pushed until it is granted. A character in a Dickens-style scene, for instance, might frequently cadge meals from sympathetic shopkeepers.

"Cadge" suggests an old, vivid way to get what you need from other people—often something small and cheap—through persistence, charm, or social pressure. Over time, it came to mean obtaining things by asking repeatedly, often with the unspoken assumption you may not have a guaranteed way to pay them back. It is more than just borrowing; it includes a sense of relying on the goodwill (or patience) of those around you.

You might cadge a cigarette from a stranger, cadge a lift in their car, or even cadge information from someone in the know. The act often implies a lack of formal means to acquire what is needed—a bit of improvisation and social maneuvering. It is not necessarily desperate begging, but rather a persistent, sometimes cheeky, request.

The word carries a slightly negative connotation, suggesting the person doing the cadging isn't entirely self-sufficient or perhaps lacks proper etiquette. However, it can also imply resourcefulness and an ability to get by. Think of a down-on-his-luck character in a classic novel who skillfully cadges meals and lodging from sympathetic strangers.

While less common in modern conversation than words like "borrow" or "ask," "cadge" adds a specific flavor—a hint of old-world charm, a touch of impudence, and the suggestion that someone is adept at navigating social situations to get what they need. So, if you find yourself persistently asking for small favors, you might just be cadging!