yegg

[ yeg ]

See synonyms for yegg on Thesaurus.com

nounOlder Slang.

a safecracker.
an itinerant burglar.

thug (def. 1).

Origin of yegg

First recorded in 1925–30, Americanism; of obscure origin; the proposals that the word is from German Jäger “hunter” or that it is the surname of a well-known safecracker are both very dubious

Words Nearby yegg

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use yegg in a sentence

He duly canvassed every likely dive, every “melina,” every gambling house and yegg hang out.
The Shadow | Arthur Stringer
An American yegg would have laughed at it, opened 73 it as easily as a ripe peach; but in this district it was absolute security.
The Pagan Madonna | Harold MacGrath
At the moment the missile flew from Peter's hand, the yegg steadied himself and fired.
The Sin of Monsieur Pettipon | Richard Connell
There was a yegg of some kind scouting around Nora's house; and the same lad also took some observations of the place at Stanwick.
Ashton-Kirk, Criminologist | John T. McIntyre
He duly canvassed every likely dive, every "melina," every gambling house and yegg hang out.
Never-Fail Blake | Arthur Stringer

British Dictionary definitions for yegg

yegg

/ (jɛɡ) /

noun

slang, mainly US a burglar or safe-breaker

Origin of yegg

C20: perhaps from the surname of a burglar

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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