shyster

English

Alternative forms
  • schister, scheister, sheister, schyster, shister, shaista, shiester, schiester

Etymology

The etymology of the word is not generally agreed upon. The Oxford English Dictionary describes it as "of obscure origin," possibly deriving from a historical sense of "shy" meaning disreputable. Other sources suggest the word derives from the German Scheißer (“incompetent worthless person”), from scheißen (“to defecate”), probably influenced by -ster.

Pronunciation
  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈʃɑɪs.tə(ɹ)/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈʃaɪs.tɚ/

Noun

shyster (plural shysters)

  1. Someone who acts in a disreputable, unethical, or unscrupulous way, especially in the practice of law and politics.
    Polly (to security guard, referring to Dr. Feingarten): Are you going to let that shyster in there?
    Dr. Feingarten: I could sue you, Polly. A shyster is a disreputable lawyer. I'm a quack.
    - From the motion picture SOB

Derived terms

Translations

References
  • shyster at OneLook Dictionary Search

Anagrams
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