Word
jacobs
Phoneticsja·cobs
/ˈdʒeɪkəbz/
Definitions
01a surname
n. a common family name in English-speaking countries.
n. a frequent English surname of patronymic origin, derived from the name Jacob.
“Mr. Jacobs is the new science teacher at the local high school.”
“The Jacobs family has operated the local hardware store for three generations, becoming a staple of the town's small business community.”
02testicles
n. a slang word for testicles.
n. a term for testicles, derived from the Cockney rhyming slang 'Jacob's Crackers'.
“He got hit right in the jacobs during the football match.”
“The comedian made a crude joke about being kicked in the jacobs, which drew a mixed reaction from the late-night audience.”
British English · Slang · Humorous
Usage
Always used in the plural form.
Teaching tip
This is rhyming slang (Jacob's Crackers = knackers). It is informal and potentially offensive in polite company; learners should use it only in very casual, all-male environments.
Etymology
Cockney rhyming slang - Jacob's Cream Crackers (a brand of crackers) = knackers
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/jacobs