A Penner (German) is a very poor male person, living on the streets of cities day and night. In Germany every person can theoretically get enough for living, food and clothes, daily needs like toothpaste, but some unemployed persons can't manage it, especially since it's necessary to show the will for hard work also for low wages. These male persons who don't get the point are called Penners. It's originally a cuss word, but can also be used in polite way expressing some pity. It's politically widely accepted to be used, in small talk as well as serious talk shows. The origin of the word Penner is the German verb pennen (today mostly in low niveau language still used for to sleep). A long time unemployed person who feels comfortable in his situation and is happy is not called Penner. Such a person is called Assi and not as poor as a true Penner. A Penner cannot improve his situation, an Assi even doesn't want to. Normal poor persons who want to improve their situation are just called Arme Leute (poor people) or Kleine Leute if they have a job.