shamus

as indetective

Word Origin & History

"police officer, detective," 1920, apparently first in "The Shamus," a detective story published that year by Harry J. Loose (1880-1943), a Chicago police detective and crime writer; the book was marketed as "a true tale of thiefdom and an expose of the real system in crime." The word is said to be probably from Yiddish shames, literally "sexton of a synagogue" ("a potent personage only next in influence to the President" [Israel Zangwill]), from Hebrew shamash "servant;" influenced by Celtic Seamus "James," as a typical name for an Irish cop.

Example Sentences for shamus

And he asked Shamus, but he pretended he was ill—Oh, he was very unwell!

The recitation of "Shamus O'Brien" seemed tame by comparison.

Then Shamus began to walk slowly away, and the Queen followed.

"You do not badly for a beginner," said he when Shamus had finished.

"Good," said Shamus, and away he went to seek the King of the Gnomes.

So Shamus took his harp and began ...

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Synonyms for shamus

noun investigator of crime

More words related to shamus

detective

noun. investigator of crime

shamus

Synonyms for shamus

More words related to shamus

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detectives

detective