jerry-built

[ jer-ee-bilt ]

adjective

1. built cheaply and flimsily.

   Synonyms: slipshod, shoddy, rickety, ramshackle

2. contrived or developed in a haphazard, unsubstantial fashion, as a project or organization.

Word History and Origins

Origin of jerry-built¹

1865–70; jerry (as in jerry-build ) + built

Example Sentences

See the finest position in the neighbourhood occupied by a jerry-built Moorish nightmare?

From Project Gutenberg

And the house being jerry built, the new ceilings are only guaranteed to stay up, if they are not pushed.

From Project Gutenberg

I had put up overnight in his jerry-built hostelry, and all had gone well until breakfast time.

From Project Gutenberg

The semi-suburban towns stretched forth long, rawly-red arms of ugly, little, jerry-built streets and terraces.

From Project Gutenberg

Have they failed, let us pity their hunt through some newer and cheaper suburb for a jerry-built roof over rheumatic bones.

From Project Gutenberg