people smugglers and 乖乖

[Horatio]

What are the correct characters for "people smugglers" in Chinese. Someone in my class the other day mentioned the Chinese word and I guess it's probably this 人口搬子。

The other thing, is about the idiomatic usage of 乖乖 which usually means "sweety" when talking to child. However around Nanjing and nearby Yangzhou I have heard it used in what seems to be a rather sarcastic manner. I think equivalent to a sarcastic "Oh you poor thing". Can anyone confirm this? I've heard it used in my direction when I've given a yawn. As if the person wanted to say oh so you think you're tired? Sorry I can't provide more context.

[Horatio]

Sorry, to be more specific, the context the phrase was used in was kidnapping a woman or girl to be sold in another place as a wife.

[againstwind]

people smugglers：人贩子

I think equivalent to a sarcastic "Oh you poor thing"

yes, it is, more or less. It depends on its pronunciation.

乖乖

1) guai1 guai1: it means "sweety"

e.g. 妈妈对小女儿说：“乖乖，该去睡觉了。”

or "obediently, compliantly"

e.g. 你最好乖乖地呆在这！

2) guai1 guai5 (second is neutral tone): it is an interjection, expressing astonishment or admiration.

e.g. 乖乖，他居然把那整只牛全吃了！

乖乖，那人可真高！

[Horatio]

Thanks for the help!