Jerry

/ˈdʒɛri/

Meaning & Definition

noun

An informal term referring to a German person, often used pejoratively.

During World War I, soldiers sometimes referred to their German opponents as 'Jerries'.

A slang term for a makeshift or improvised solution.

They used a jerry rig to fix the broken engine in no time.

A term for a jerrycan, which is a container used to store liquids, especially fuel.

He filled the jerry with gasoline before heading out for the camping trip.

verb

To improvise or make do in a makeshift manner.

We had to jerry together a plan when the original one fell through.

Possibly from 'Jerry' as a vernacular contraction of 'German'.

jerry can:

A container for transporting fuel or liquids, typically used by the military.

jerry-built:

Poorly constructed or made.

A term for a person deemed foolish or inept.

Don't be a jerry, think before you act!