Street
supergrass
What does supergrass mean?
An informer who provides evidence against a large number of associates, typically in a major criminal trial.
"The whole firm went down when one of them turned supergrass."
Origin
Coined by journalists in the early 1970s: the 'super' prefix added to 'grass'.
Frequently asked questions
What is a 'supergrass'?
A 'supergrass' is a high-level informer who gives evidence against a large number of associates, typically in a major criminal trial.
Where does 'supergrass' come from?
It was coined by journalists in the early 1970s, adding the 'super' prefix to 'grass', British slang for an informer.
How is 'supergrass' used?
You'd say someone 'turned supergrass', meaning they informed on their associates, as in 'The whole firm went down when one of them turned supergrass.'
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