jehu
Definition
Noun: - A fast or reckless driver: "jehu" refers to a person who drives a vehicle, especially a horse-drawn carriage, with great speed and little caution. The term is often used humorously or mockingly. - Example: The coachman was a regular jehu, whipping the horses into a furious gallop. (The driver was reckless and fast.)
Usage Examples
- (He drove very fast and dangerously.)
- (The elderly driver took pleasure in driving quickly.)
Advanced Usage
- "to drive like a jehu": to drive extremely fast or recklessly.
- She drove like a jehu to make up for lost time, ignoring all speed limits. (She drove dangerously fast to catch up.)
Variants and Related Words
- Jehu (proper noun): In the Bible, Jehu was a king of Israel known for his furious chariot driving (2 Kings 9:20). The word derives from this biblical figure.
- The biblical Jehu was described as "driving furiously." (The original source of the term's meaning.)
Synonyms
- Speed demon: a person who drives very fast.
- Road hog: a driver who drives aggressively or recklessly (more modern usage).
- Charioteer: a driver of a chariot, often associated with speed.
Related Idioms
- "to be a jehu": to be a fast or reckless driver.
- Watch out for that taxi driver; he's a real jehu. (He drives dangerously fast.)
Etymology Note
- The word "jehu" comes from the biblical figure Jehu, a king of Israel, who was noted for his furious driving in 2 Kings 9:20: "The driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously." Over time, the name became a generic term for any fast or reckless driver, especially of horse-drawn vehicles.