Jerry

adj

Etymology: Short for jerry-built.

1. Jerry-built.

   “If a man builds a jerry-house, he has a jerry conscience; and there are a lot of consciences of that description going about.”

name

Etymology: Clipping of German + -y. Popularized during World War I.

1. A personification of the German people.

   “Phipps went on: “One of our chaps, out on a reccy over the Bulgarian front, thought he saw something in the snow. Something fishy. He dropped down to have a dekko and nearly had kittens. What d'you think? Jerry's got a mass of stuff there—tanks, guns, lorries, every sort of heavy armament. All camouflaged. White.””

   “[…] chucking your towel on the sunbed and making sure Jerry doesn't get there first.”

noun

1. A watch (timepiece).

   “Watch stealing, or jerry getting, as the thieving fraternity designate the operation, is carried on to a considerable extent all the year round.”

   “R. Austin Freeman, A Savant's Vendetta 'Do you know a jerry when you sees one — a red 'un, mind you?' […] The fellow looked furtively at the door and then, diving into an inner pocket, pulled out a handsome gold watch with a massive chain attached, exhibited it for a moment and then dropped it back.”