g-man
Definition
Noun: 1. A special law-enforcement agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI): The term "G-man" is an informal, historical slang term for an FBI agent. The "G" stands for "Government."
Usage
- The term is used as a countable noun to refer to an individual FBI agent.
- It originated in the 1930s and carries a strong period-specific connotation, often associated with the era of gangsters and Prohibition.
- While still understood, its use in modern, formal contexts is rare. It may be used stylistically to evoke a historical setting or in a casual, sometimes humorous, manner.
Examples
- Noun:
- The notorious gangster was finally arrested by a team of G-men.
- In old movies, the G-man is often portrayed wearing a fedora and a trench coat.
Advanced Usage
- The term is almost exclusively used as a noun. It does not commonly function as a verb or adjective.
- It can be used metaphorically or humorously to refer to any federal agent or authority figure in a suit, implying a serious, official demeanor.
- After the audit, he joked that the accountants were like G-men going through his books.
Variants and Related Words
- FBI Agent: The modern, formal term for a special agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
- Fed: A more contemporary and broader slang term for any federal law enforcement officer or official.
- Special Agent: The official job title for an FBI agent and other federal investigators.
Synonyms
- FBI agent
- Federal agent
- Government agent
Antonyms
- Criminal
- Gangster
- Outlaw
Related Idioms/Phrases
- "The G-men are coming": A phrase used to suggest that authorities (specifically federal agents) are on their way or investigating. It evokes a sense of impending justice or trouble from the law.
- When the financial fraud was discovered, everyone whispered that the G-men were coming.
Noun
-
a special law-enforcement agent of the Federal Bureau of Investigation
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