jock
jock Lexical Profile
jock Game Scores & Validity
• noun
North American An enthusiast or participant in a specified athletic activity, especially a male student who is stereotyping as prioritizing sports over intellectual pursuits.
"The high school cafeteria seemed divided between the theater kids and the varsity jocks."
North American A disc jockey or a person whose occupation or enthusiasm involves operating a specified vehicle or machine (often used in combination, as in 'shock jock' or 'computer jock').
"The morning radio jock kept commuters entertained with local news and classic rock."
North American A tight-fitting undergarment worn by men to support and protect the genitals during strenuous physical activity; a jockstrap.
"The coach reminded all the players to pack their protective gear and a clean jock before the away game."
Word Nuance & Usage
In North American usage, 'jock' is an informal social label for an athlete that often carries the mild stereotype of prioritizing physical fitness over academic pursuits. In British English, the capitalized form 'Jock' is a colloquial term for a Scotsman that can be perceived as offensive depending on the context.
• Rhymes for jock
Word Origin & Etymology
Originally a Scots variant of the given name 'Jack'. The North American sense meaning 'athlete' emerged in the mid-20th century as a shortening of 'jockstrap' (an athletic supporter), which itself derived from an earlier slang use of 'jock' for the male genitalia.