linus: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareInformal/Slang
Quick answer
What does “linus” mean?
A person who is easily exploited or taken advantage of.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who is easily exploited or taken advantage of; a naive or gullible individual.
Used in British slang (mainly London) to refer to a fool, a sucker, or someone who is an easy victim, particularly in criminal contexts such as scams or robberies.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is almost exclusively British slang. In American English, 'linus' is not used with this meaning; it is primarily recognized as a proper name.
Connotations
In British slang, it carries negative, derogatory connotations of gullibility and victimhood. In general English, as a name, it's neutral.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency even in the UK; largely confined to specific subcultures or historical criminal argot.
Grammar
How to Use “linus” in a Sentence
[Subject] is a linus.They [verb] him like a linus.Don't be a linus.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “linus” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- They linused him out of fifty quid.
American English
- Not used as a verb in AmE.
adverb
British English
- He agreed linus-ly to the dodgy deal.
American English
- Not used as an adverb in AmE.
adjective
British English
- That was a linus move, mate.
American English
- Not used as an adjective in AmE.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would be confusing to most listeners.
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “linus”
- Using it in formal writing.
- Assuming Americans will understand the slang meaning.
- Capitalizing it when used as slang (usually lowercase).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very rare piece of British slang. Most English speakers will only know it as a proper name.
It derives from the character Linus van Pelt from Charles M. Schulz's 'Peanuts' comic strip, who is depicted as intellectually gifted but also innocent and trustingly naive.
Absolutely not. It is informal slang with very limited understanding even among native speakers.
Similar concepts exist (like 'sucker', 'mark', 'patsy'), but American English does not use the word 'linus' itself as slang.
A person who is easily exploited or taken advantage of.
Linus: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlaɪ.nəs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlaɪ.nəs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “He's a proper Linus.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of Linus from Peanuts, clinging to his security blanket — a trusting, vulnerable figure easily tricked.
Conceptual Metaphor
TRUST IS BLINDNESS (the 'linus' is metaphorically blind to deception).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary meaning of 'linus' in British slang?