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

Related Words

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