landsman

Etymology

From land + -s- + man. In meanings 3 and 4, influenced by Yiddish לאַנדסמאַן (landsman). Compare also German Landsmann, Norwegian landsmann. Doublet of lantzman.

noun

  1. A person who does not go to sea, who lacks the skills of a sailor or who is uncomfortable on ships or boats.
    If the landsman should wish the gang-plank moved a foot farther forward, he would probably say: “James, or William, one of you push that plank forward, please”; but put the mate in his place, and he would roar out: “Here, now, start that gang-plank for'ard! Lively, now! What're you about!..." 1883, Mark Twain, Life on the Mississippi
  2. (oil and gas industry) A person who negotiates leases, contracts and other business deals between producers and landowners.
  3. A fellow Jew who comes from the same district or town, especially in Eastern Europe
  4. Someone of a similar heritage or belief system
  5. (obsolete, nautical) A military rank given to naval recruits

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