cheap-jack: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Very low frequency)Informal, slightly dated, often derogatory.
Quick answer
What does “cheap-jack” mean?
A peddler or small-time trader who sells low-quality or shoddy goods, often in a dishonest or disreputable way.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A peddler or small-time trader who sells low-quality or shoddy goods, often in a dishonest or disreputable way.
Used as an adjective to describe goods, services, or people that are of poor quality, shoddy, or operating in a disreputable manner that prioritises cheapness and quick profit over quality or integrity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally rare in both varieties. Slightly more documented in British historical/lexicographic sources.
Connotations
Same negative connotations in both regions.
Frequency
Extremely low-frequency word in modern English in both BrE and AmE. Primarily encountered in literary or historical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cheap-jack” in a Sentence
[Noun] was a cheap-jack (noun)cheap-jack [Noun] (attributive)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cheap-jack” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- They stayed in a cheap-jack hotel by the motorway.
- He was tired of these cheap-jack imitations of classic design.
American English
- The town's main street was full of cheap-jack souvenir shops.
- It was a cheap-jack operation that folded within a month.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to criticise disreputable or low-quality competitors or products.
Academic
Rare. Might appear in historical or sociological texts discussing commerce.
Everyday
Rare. Used to express strong disdain for something perceived as shoddy and dishonest.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cheap-jack”
- Spelling as one word (*cheapjack). The hyphen is standard.
- Using it to describe a person who is merely frugal (that's 'cheapskate').
- Confusing the noun and adjective forms (they are usually the same: a cheap-jack / a cheap-jack operation).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is derogatory and dismissive, used to criticise the quality and ethics of a trader or their goods. It is not a polite term.
No, it is not standardly used as a verb. It functions as a noun (the person) or an attributive adjective (describing the goods/operation).
A 'jack-of-all-trades' is someone competent in many skills (though often not an expert). A 'cheap-jack' is specifically a disreputable seller, with no positive connotations.
No, it is considered dated and of very low frequency. Modern synonyms like 'fly-by-night' or 'rip-off merchant' are more common in informal speech.
A peddler or small-time trader who sells low-quality or shoddy goods, often in a dishonest or disreputable way.
Cheap-jack is usually informal, slightly dated, often derogatory. in register.
Cheap-jack: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtʃiːp dʒæk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtʃip ˌdʒæk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No specific idioms”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'jack' (a common man, like 'jack-of-all-trades') selling 'cheap', worthless goods.
Conceptual Metaphor
POOR QUALITY IS DISHONEST / COMMERCE IS A GAME (with a 'cheap jack' being a dishonest player).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'cheap-jack'?