Jerry Sneak

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

A henpecked husband.

Register: archaic, slang

Where it’s used: Used American English

Examples

But very often blust'ring blades / Are Jerry Sneaks at home.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

A henpecked husband: from a celebrated character in one of Mr. Foote's plays, representing a man governed by his wife.

Era: ca. 1811 (Georgian)

Where it’s used: Origin British & Irish English
Sources & notes

Historical definition reproduced from Grose’s Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (1811 edition, public domain; Project Gutenberg #5402, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.

Sense 3

Meaning · English

a hen-pecked husband,—a character in the Mayor of Garret. Also, a stealer of watches.

Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)

Where it’s used: Origin British & Irish English
Sources & notes

Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.

Common questions

What does “Jerry Sneak” mean?

A henpecked husband.

Is “Jerry Sneak” formal or informal?

Jerry Sneak is generally archaic, slang.