joey

Etymology 1

Unknown. Older and more general sources state that joey comes from an Australian aboriginal language, but newer sources that focus on Australian English and aboriginal languages say the origin is unknown. The Australian National Dictionary includes a sense of “young possum” with citations predating the earliest “young kangaroo” citations.

noun

1. The immature young of a marsupial, notably a junior kangaroo, but also a young wallaby, koala, etc.
   As soon as a joey is born, it crawls into its mother's pouch. The joey grows in the pouch. 2006, Bobbie Kalman, Robin R. Johnson, Koalas and Other Marsupials, Crabtree Publishing Company, page 9
2. (Australia, slang) A young child.
3. Ellipsis of joey word.
   Among the kangaroo words that yield the most joviality and joy are those that conceal multiple joeys. 1998, Richard Lederer, Dave Morice, The Word Circus, page 129
   Sometimes a kangaroo word has more than one joey. 2005, Anu Garg, Another Word a Day, page 132
4. (UK, prison slang) A parcel smuggled in to an inmate.
   "Visit in two days though," said Tommo. "Hang in there mate, got a joey coming, we'll be sweet then." 2012, John Hoskison, Inside: One Man's Experience of Prison

Etymology 2

From Joseph Grimaldi (1778–1837), a popular English entertainer.

noun

1. (theater, circus) A kind of clown.

Etymology 3

noun

1. (UK, military, slang) A member of the Royal Marines.

Etymology 4

From British TV personality Joey Deacon (1920–1981), who was the focus of Blue Peter's 1981 charity campaign. The programme was aimed at children, who then picked the term up and used it as an insult.

noun

1. (dated, slang, derogatory, offensive in Britain) A person with cerebral palsy.
2. (dated, slang, derogatory, offensive in Britain) A stupid person.

Etymology 5

Said to have been named after Scottish politician Joseph Hume (1777–1855).

noun

1. (UK, slang, obsolete) A fourpenny piece, or its value; fourpence worth.
   a joey of brandy