JOCK

athlete, jock

(noun) a person trained to compete in sports

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Believed to be a Scots variant of Jack. Because of its specific association with Scotland, the British English slang term is believed by most sources to be derived from the frequency of the use of the given name in Scotland, rather than from the "common man" etymology.

Proper noun

Jock

A nickname.

Noun

Jock (plural Jocks)

(UK, slang) a Scot

Usage notes

Some speakers consider the term pejorative. Others consider it no more pejorative than, for example, the similar generic use of "Joe".

Etymology 1

Noun

jock (plural jocks)

(slang, archaic) A common man.

(British, slang, pejorative) A Scotsman.

Etymology 2

The computer slang meanings are derived from jockey. The athletic slang meanings in turn date from the middle 20th century and are simple abbreviations of jockstrap, which is in turn derived from the older slang meaning of jock itself, which dates from the 17th century, and whose etymology is unknown.

Noun

jock (plural jocks)

(slang, rare, dated) The penis.

An athletic supporter worn by men to support the genitals especially during sports, a jockstrap.

(US, slang) A young male athlete (through college age).

(US, slang, pejorative) An enthusiastic athlete or sports fan, especially one with few other interests. A slow-witted person of large size and great physical strength. A pretty boy that shows off in sport.

(slang) A disc jockey.

(US, slang, computing, in combination) A specialist computer programmer.