josser

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈd͡ʒɒsə(ɹ)/

Noun

josser (plural jossers)

1. An outsider working in a circus.
   • 1999 May 20, Dea Birkett, “Books: In the world of exotic humans”, in The Independent‎^[1]:

     Becoming a josser – an outsider who joins the circus – is probably one of the few dreams almost everyone has had.

2. (UK, informal) A man, especially one who seems foolish or simpleminded.
   • 1904–1907 (date written), James Joyce, “An Encounter”, in Dubliners, London: Grant Richards, published June 1914, →OCLC:

     As I neither answered nor raised my eyes Mahony exclaimed again: "I say... He's a queer old josser!"

3. (Australia, informal) A clergyman.

Anagrams

• sojers