jackleg

Meaning

Adj

1. (US, not-comparable) Amateur, untrained; incompetent.
2. (US, not-comparable) Dishonest, unscrupulous.
3. (US, not-comparable) Ineptly built or operated; makeshift.

Noun

1. A type of drill operated by means of compressed air.
2. (US) An amateur; an untrained or incompetent person.
3. (US) A shyster or con artist; a gambler who cheats; a generally dishonest or reprehensible person.

Synonyms

unskilled

dishonest

incompetent

unscrupulous

untutored

unversed

amateur

nontrained

Translations

unausgebildet

untrainiert

άπειρος

αγύμναστος

ανεκπαίδευτος

impreparato

no cualificado

rudimental

antremansız

Etymology

From jack + leg. Compare blackleg (“a person who replaces striking workers; a cheater”) and such expressions as jack of all trades, every man jack.