shamus

[ shah-muhs, shey- ]

noun

, Slang.

, plural sha·mus·es.

1. a detective.
2. a police officer.

shamus

/ ˈʃeɪ-; ˈʃɑːməs /

noun

1. slang.
   a police or private detective

Word History and Origins

Origin of shamus¹

1925–30; of obscure origin, though popularly derived from either Yiddish shames shammes or the Irish male given name Séamas

Word History and Origins

Origin of shamus¹

probably from shammes , influenced by Irish Séamas James

Example Sentences

When I was 10 or 11 years old, a movie company came to town to do this Burt Reynolds movie, Shamus.

From The Daily Beast

Shamus Award–winning author Peter Spiegelman returns with this psychologically thrilling novel.

From The Daily Beast

And he asked Shamus, but he pretended he was ill—Oh, he was very unwell!

From Project Gutenberg

On his way to the gallows an old woman in the crowd called out in Irish Ah, Shamus alanna!

From Project Gutenberg

Shamus, however, seems to use less dialect on account of the dignity of his character and speech.

From Project Gutenberg

You must know that a very long time ago, when many kings ruled Ireland, there lived a boy named Shamus.

From Project Gutenberg

Fergus lighted his pipe, drew his chair a little closer to the hearth, and related the story of Shamus the Harper.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• agent
• informer
• police officer
• private eye
• private investigator
• prosecutor
• reporter
• sleuth
• spy