shamus

[shah-muhs, shey-]

noun

Slang.

plural

shamuses 

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

Have the world-weary shamus and the former Aztec capital lost their noir juju?

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The heroes are typically amateur or private detectives, possibly quirky, often women, sometimes a couple; they aren’t likely to suffer the afflictions common to the hard-boiled shamus — depression, rage, alcoholism, untreated trauma.

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Philip Marlowe at quarterback, Easy Rawlins at strong safety, and a fierce defensive line of framed shamuses.

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And as the Honolulu-based shamus Thomas Magnum, a journeyman actor named Tom Selleck made himself a star on the strength of a twinkling smile and a modest gift for self-deprecating humor.

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It doesn’t take much to lure the old shamus out of a seclusion, which he isn’t much enjoying anyhow.

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Related Words

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