ENGLISH
REFERENCE

jacob

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US //ˈdʒeɪkəb// ja·cob Archaic Slang

n. a slang term for a watch. People use this word when they want to sound cool or show off their expensive jewelry.

n. a slang term for a wristwatch, particularly one that is expensive or heavily decorated with diamonds. Derived from the jeweler Jacob Arabo, known as 'Jacob the Jeweler' in hip-hop culture.


SIMPLE

He spent his first paycheck on a shiny new Jacob.

CONTEXTUAL

The rapper gestured toward his wrist to show off the custom Jacob he bought after the tour.

COMPLEX

While the lyrics focused on his humble beginnings, his diamond-encrusted Jacob served as a silent, glittering contradiction to the narrative of poverty.

Origin

From Middle English Iacob, from Late Latin Iācōbus, from Ancient Greek Ἰάκωβος (Iákōbos), from Biblical Hebrew יַעֲקֹב (yaʿăqōḇ, literally “he will/shall heel”), from עָקֵב (ʿāqēḇ, “heel”). Doublet of James.

Usage

Informal and specific to hip-hop or luxury jewelry subcultures.

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