stockjobber: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareHistorical / Technical / Derogatory
Quick answer
What does “stockjobber” mean?
A person who buys and sells stocks and shares on a stock exchange, historically as a jobber dealing as a principal rather than as a broker acting for clients.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who buys and sells stocks and shares on a stock exchange, historically as a jobber dealing as a principal rather than as a broker acting for clients.
A term often used with negative connotations for someone engaged in speculative or dubious stock market dealings.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is historically specific to British finance, particularly the London Stock Exchange, where 'jobbers' were market makers. In American English, the equivalent roles are 'specialists' or 'market makers', but the term 'stockjobber' itself is rarely used and carries a stronger pejorative sense.
Connotations
In British English, it can be a neutral historical term or a mild pejorative. In American English, it is almost exclusively pejorative, suggesting sharp practice or fraud.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary use in both varieties. Most common in historical texts or as a dated insult.
Grammar
How to Use “stockjobber” in a Sentence
[adjective] stockjobberstockjobber [prepositional phrase]stockjobber of [commodity/era]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in historical discussions of financial markets or pejoratively for reckless traders.
Academic
Appears in economic history and literature (e.g., 18th-19th century texts) discussing early capitalism.
Everyday
Virtually never used in modern conversation.
Technical
Specific term for pre-1986 London Stock Exchange market makers in historical finance texts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “stockjobber”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “stockjobber”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “stockjobber”
- Using it as a synonym for a modern, reputable 'stockbroker' or 'investment banker'.
- Using it in a contemporary context without historical qualification.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Historically, a stockjobber (or jobber) was a market maker who dealt with brokers, not the public, and traded as a principal. A stockbroker acted as an agent for clients.
The term acquired pejorative connotations from historical periods of financial speculation and scandal (e.g., the South Sea Bubble), where such figures were seen as profiteers at society's expense.
It is inaccurate and anachronistic for modern roles. Use terms like 'trader', 'market maker', or 'speculator' instead, depending on the context.
The specific role of the jobber on the London Stock Exchange was abolished with the 'Big Bang' deregulation on 27 October 1986, which introduced a dual-capacity system.
A person who buys and sells stocks and shares on a stock exchange, historically as a jobber dealing as a principal rather than as a broker acting for clients.
Stockjobber is usually historical / technical / derogatory in register.
Stockjobber: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstɒkˌdʒɒb.ə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstɑːkˌdʒɑː.bɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “act the stockjobber (archaic - to speculate recklessly)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'jobber' doing 'stock' jobs – quick, speculative trades rather than long-term investments.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MARKET IS A GAME OF CHANCE (stockjobber as a gambler).
Practice
Quiz
What was the primary historical function of a stockjobber on the London Stock Exchange?