shamus

sha·mus

noun \ˈshä-məs, ˈshā-\

Definition of SHAMUS

1

slang : police officer

2

slang : private investigator

Examples of SHAMUS

1. <a hard-bitten L.A. shamus who, when he's not battling crooks, is bedding chicks>
2. <he's a sleazy shamus who mostly finds evidence to use in divorce cases>

Origin of SHAMUS

perhaps from Yiddish shames shammes; from a jocular comparison of the duties of a sexton and those of a store detective

First Known Use: 1925

Related to SHAMUS

Synonyms: bobby [British], bull [slang], constable [chiefly British], cop, copper, flatfoot [slang], fuzz, gendarme, lawman, policeman, police officer, officer [slang]

Related Words: patrolman, policewoman; detective, dick, gumshoe, hawkshaw, inspector, investigator, plainclothesman, sherlock, sleuth, sleuthhound; marshal (also marshall), sheriff, trooper; peace officer; captain, lieutenant, sergeant; constabulary, heat [slang], man, police, police force; operative, private detective, private eye, private investigator

Near Antonyms: civilian

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Rhymes with SHAMUS

Amos, famous, ramus