shamus

noun sha·mus \ˈshä-məs, ˈshā-\

Definition of SHAMUS

slang : police officer

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

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

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