guvnor

guvnor
(governor)
n
British
a boss, chief or leader. A descriptive term or term of address used by, to and about males in working-class speech. This widespread colloquial form of gov-ernor arose in the early 19th century and shows no sign of dying out. Gover-nor, then spelt correctly, was recorded as a slang term for one's employer as early as 1802; Charles Dickens later referred to it as a slang synonym for 'old man' or 'boss' when referring to one's father. In the 1980s it acquired a fur-ther nuance in the form 'the guvnor' as an acknowledged expert or leading exponent (for instance among rock musicians and fans).
► 'I'll be alright 'cos I believe In the life here-after. I mean, Jesus was the governor wasn't he?' (East Ender, Sunday Times, 2 June 1968)

Contemporary slang . 2014.

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  • guvnor — UK [ˈɡʌv(ə)nə(r)] / US [ˈɡʌv(ə)nər] noun [countable] Word forms guvnor : singular guvnor plural guvnors British spoken someone who is in charge of your work …   English dictionary

  • guvnor — noun (British slang) boss • Usage Domain: ↑slang, ↑cant, ↑jargon, ↑lingo, ↑argot, ↑patois, ↑vernacular • Regions: ↑United Kingdom, ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • guvnor — guv|nor guv nor [ˈgʌvnə US ər] n BrE spoken old fashioned informal [Date: 1800 1900; Origin: governor] 1.) a man who is in a position of authority over you, usually your employer ▪ You ll have to speak to the guvnor about that. 2.) used as a way… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • guvnor — [[t]gʌ̱vnə(r)[/t]] guvnors also guv nor N COUNT; N VOC Guvnor is sometimes used to refer to or address a man who is in a position of authority over you, for example your employer or father. [BRIT, INFORMAL] …   English dictionary

  • guvnor guv'nor — noun BrE spoken 1 a man who is in a position of authority over you, usually your employer: You ll have to speak to the guvnor about that. 2 old fashioned used as a way of addressing a man of a higher social class than you …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • guvnor — guv|nor [ gʌvnər ] noun count BRITISH SPOKEN someone who is in charge of your work …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • guvnor — n. (British Slang) boss; father (informal term and term of address used in the past by upper class young men for their fathers) …   English contemporary dictionary

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