joey
English edit
Pronunciation edit
Etymology 1 edit
Unknown. Older and more general sources state that joey comes from an Australian aboriginal language, but newer sources that focus on Australian English and aboriginal languages say the origin is unknown. The Australian National Dictionary includes a sense of “young possum” with citations predating the earliest “young kangaroo” citations.
Noun edit
joey (plural joeys)
- The immature young of a marsupial, notably a junior kangaroo, but also a young wallaby, koala, etc.
- (Australia, slang) A young child.
- Ellipsis of joey word.
- 1998, Richard Lederer, Dave Morice, The Word Circus, page 129:
- Among the kangaroo words that yield the most joviality and joy are those that conceal multiple joeys.
- 2005, Anu Garg, Another Word a Day, page 132:
- Sometimes a kangaroo word has more than one joey.
- (UK, prison slang) A parcel smuggled in to an inmate.
- 2012, John Hoskison, Inside: One Man's Experience of Prison:
- "Visit in two days though," said Tommo. "Hang in there mate, got a joey coming, we'll be sweet then."
Derived terms edit
Translations edit
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References edit
- Douglas Harper (2001–2024) “joey”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
- Jonathon Green (2024) “joey n.3”, in Green’s Dictionary of Slang
- Jonathon Green (2024) “joey n.4”, in Green’s Dictionary of Slang
Etymology 2 edit
From Joseph Grimaldi (1778–1837), a popular English entertainer.
Noun edit
joey (plural joeys)
References edit
- Jonathon Green (2024) “joey n.1”, in Green’s Dictionary of Slang
Etymology 3 edit
Noun edit
joey (plural joeys)
- (UK, military, slang) A member of the Royal Marines.
- Synonym: jolly
Etymology 4 edit
From British TV personality Joey Deacon (1920–1981), who was the focus of Blue Peter's 1981 charity campaign. The programme was aimed at children, who then picked the term up and used it as an insult.
Noun edit
joey (plural joeys)
- (dated, slang, derogatory, offensive in British) A person with cerebral palsy.
- (dated, slang, derogatory, offensive in British) A stupid person.
See also edit
Etymology 5 edit
Said to have been named after Scottish politician Joseph Hume (1777–1855).
Noun edit
joey (plural joeys)
References edit
- John Camden Hotten (1873) The Slang Dictionary