General
jakey
What does jakey mean?
A habitual heavy drinker, often homeless; a derogatory term for a street alcoholic.
"A couple o' jakeys were sat on the bench wi' a bottle."
Origin
Scots slang, reputedly from 'Jake', a crude alcohol, or 'jake' (fine/okay) ironically.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'jakey' mean?
It's a derogatory Scots term for a habitual heavy drinker, often a homeless street alcoholic.
Is 'jakey' offensive?
Yes, it's a derogatory term used to belittle street drinkers, so it can cause offence.
Where does 'jakey' come from?
It's reputedly from 'Jake', a crude alcohol, though some link it ironically to 'jake' meaning fine or okay.
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