Definition

Noun: 1. A slang term for an amphetamine pill, especially Benzedrine: This is an informal, dated usage referring to a type of stimulant drug. 2. A man's overcoat: This is a dated, chiefly British slang term for a heavy overcoat. 3. (Proper noun) A nickname for the comedian Jack Benny: Referring to the American comedian known for his precise timing and persona of being miserly.

Usage Examples

• Noun (slang, drug):
  • In the 1960s, some truck drivers took bennies to stay awake on long hauls.
• Noun (slang, clothing):
  • He threw on his benny and headed out into the foggy London night.
• Noun (proper name):
  • My grandfather loved listening to Benny on the radio.

Advanced Usage

• The drug-related slang is now largely historical and is considered informal/non-standard. The preferred modern terms are specific drug names (e.g., amphetamine) or brand names.
• The clothing-related slang is also dated and regional (UK). It is rarely used in contemporary English.

Variants and Related Words

• Benzedrine: The brand name for a specific amphetamine, which is the source of the slang term "benny."
• Sesame (plant): In some very specific botanical or historical contexts, "benne" or "benny" can refer to the sesame plant (), but this is highly specialized and not common in general English.

Synonyms

• (For the drug sense): Upper, pep pill, speed (all informal).
• (For the clothing sense): Overcoat, topcoat, greatcoat.

Notes on Different Meanings

• The primary contemporary understanding of "benny" is as a proper noun, the nickname for Jack Benny. The other meanings are historical slang and are likely to be unfamiliar to most modern English speakers without context.
• When capitalized ("Benny"), it is almost exclusively a proper name (a nickname or given name). The lowercase form ("benny") indicates the slang uses.

Noun

1. United States comedian known for his timeing and delivery and self-effacing humor (1894-1974)
2. East Indian annual erect herb; source of sesame seed or benniseed and sesame oil