English Explanatory Dictionary

snollygoster

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A shrewd person not guided by principles, especially a politician.

Word forms

snollygoster snollygosters

Etymology

19th-century American English. Possibly from snallygaster, a mythical beast that preys on poultry and children; possibly from Pennsylvania German schnelle geeschter, from German schnell (“quick”) + Geist (“spirit”). Largely obsolete, it briefly resurfaced in 2009 in Britain as part of a debate over MPs' expenses.

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