English edit

Etymology edit

Diminutive in -y from government.

Pronunciation edit

Adjective edit

govvy (not comparable)

  1. (colloquial) Of or run by the government.

Noun edit

govvy (plural govvies)

  1. (slang) A government job.
    • 1986, Coffield, F., Borrill, C. and Marshall, S., Shit jobs, govvy schemes or on the dole: occupational choice for young adults in the North East of England:
    • 1998, R. Hollands, Crap jobs, “govvy” schemes and trainspotting: reassessing the youth, employment and idleness debate:
    • 2003, Frank Webster, Theories of the Information Society[1]:
      In these regions new occupations are either state-created ‘govvies’ or in areas such as tourism, leisure and personal care.
  2. (slang) A government bond.