joey

Meanings

1. The immature young of a marsupial, notably a junior kangaroo, but also a young wallaby, koala, etc.
2. A young child.
3. Ellipsis of joey word.
4. A parcel smuggled in to an inmate.

1. A kind of clown.

1. A member of the Royal Marines.

1. A person with cerebral palsy.
2. A stupid person.

1. A fourpenny piece, or its value; fourpence worth.

1. A diminutive of the male given names Joe or Joseph.
2. A diminutive of the female given name Josephine.

Etymology

Unknown. 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.