Street
shamus
What does shamus mean?
A shamus is a private eye or detective, a staple of hardboiled crime fiction.
"She hired a shamus to trail her business partner."
Origin
American slang, 1920s; disputed origin, possibly Yiddish 'shammes' (sexton) or the name Seamus.
Frequently asked questions
What does 'shamus' mean?
It means a private detective or private eye, a familiar figure in hardboiled crime fiction.
Where does 'shamus' come from?
It's 1920s American slang with a disputed origin, possibly from the Yiddish 'shammes' (a synagogue sexton) or the Irish name Seamus.
How is 'shamus' used?
It refers to a hired investigator: 'She hired a shamus to trail her business partner.'
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