Jerry
/ˈdʒɛri/noun
A male given name and, in some contexts, a slang term for a German person or a chamber pot.
Did you know?The nickname Jerry was especially common as a short form of Jeremiah or Gerald, but in World War II British slang it also became a derogatory term for a German soldier, probably influenced by the German name Georg/Jörg.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
Geōrg
“A form of the name George, from Greek Georgios, meaning "farmer" or "earth-worker."”
Medieval English
English
Jery
“A pet form of names like Jeremy, Jeremiah, or Gerald.”
18th Century
English
jerry
“A colloquial term for a chamber pot or earthenware vessel.”
World War II
English
Jerry
“British slang for a German soldier or German person.”
Modern English
English
Jerry
“A common male given name; also still used in historical or slang contexts.”