joey
The immature young of a marsupial, notably a junior kangaroo, but also a young…The immature young of a marsupial, notably a junior kangaroo, but also a young wallaby, koala, etc.
» The joey snuggled down into the warm kangaroo pouch of his mother.
Meaning
8 sensesThe immature young of a marsupial, notably a junior kangaroo, but also a young wallaby, koala, etc.
junges Känguruh
кенгурёнокkengurjónok, джо́уиdžóui, коалёнокkoaljónok
кенгуря́kenhurjá, кенгуреня́kenhurenjá, коаленя́koalenjá
(Australia, slang)A young child.
(Ireland, UK, slang)A parcel smuggled in to an inmate.
A kind of clown.
(UK, slang)A member of the Royal Marines.
(dated, derogatory, offensive, slang)A person with cerebral palsy.
(dated, derogatory, offensive, slang)A stupid person.
(UK, obsolete, slang)A fourpenny piece, or its value; fourpence worth.
a joey of brandy
Examples
11 sentencesThe joey snuggled down into the warm kangaroo pouch of his mother.
Young marsupials are called joeys.
Joey represents the family.
Joey dislikes wearing his socks.
Shane is a model for Joey.
Translations
4 languagesBy meaning 3
By meaning 3
By meaning 1
Origin
Unknown. Older and more general sources state that joey comes from an Australian AboriginaUnknown. Older and more general sources state that joey comes from an Australian Aboriginal language (cited as joè), but newer sources that focus on Australian English and Aboriginal languages say the origin is unknown. The Australian National Dictionary includes a sense of “young possum” with citations predating the earliest “young kangaroo” citations.
From Joseph Grimaldi (1778–1837), a popular English entertainer.
From British TV personality Joey Deacon (1920–1981), who was the focus of Blue Peter's 1981 charity campaign. The programme was aimed at children, who then picked the term up and used it as an insult.
Said to have been named after Scottish politician Joseph Hume (1777–1855).
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