jemmy

[ jem-ee ]

verb (used with object)

, jem·mied, jem·my·ing.

1. jimmy ¹.

noun

, plural jem·mies.

1. jimmy ¹.
2. Slang. an overcoat.
3. the baked head of a sheep.

jemmy

/ ˈdʒɛmɪ /

noun

1. a short steel crowbar used, esp by burglars, for forcing doors and windows

verb

1. tr to prise (something) open with a jemmy

Word History and Origins

Origin of jemmy¹

First recorded in 1745–55

Word History and Origins

Origin of jemmy¹

C19: from the pet name for James

Example Sentences

"Jemmy was notorious for never spending any money on clothes and was very, very shabby and very grubby," said Mr Smith.

From BBC

Local historian Roger Smith said it was "widely accepted" Scrooge was based on James "Jemmy" Wood, who owned a bank on Westgate Street.

From BBC

Mr Smith said Dickens knew of Jemmy but never actually met him.

From BBC

Despite being "quite illiterate", Jemmy was said to be very shrewd and managed to accumulate a lot of money.

From BBC

"Charles Dickens was a regular visitor to Gloucester and he knew of Jemmy," said Mr Smith.

From BBC