shoneen

/ ˈʃoːniːn /

noun

1. an Irishman who imitates English ways

Word History and Origins

Origin of shoneen¹

C19: from Irish Gaelic Seoinín, diminutive of Seon John (taken as typical English name)

Example Sentences

Shoneen; a gentleman in a small way: a would-be gentleman who puts on superior airs.

From Project Gutenberg

Sometimes you can hardly distinguish a squireen from a half-sir or from a shoneen.

From Project Gutenberg

Hence Shoneen means "a little gentry John," and is applied to upstarts and "big" farmers, who ape the rank of gentleman.

From Project Gutenberg