jerry
oxford
views updated Jun 27 2018jerry1 (sl.) chamber-pot. XIX. Supposed to be short for prec.; cf.
-Y6.
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD
jerry
oxford
views updated May 21 2018jerry2 (colloq.) unsubstantial(ly), as in
jerry-built,
-builder,
-building. XIX. of unkn. orig.
The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD
Jerry
oxford
views updated May 23 2018Jerry informal term for a German (especially in military contexts); the word is recorded from 1919.
The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable ELIZABETH KNOWLES
