Jacobs

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A family name shared by many people, such as the American urbanist Jane Jacob or the English writer W. W. Jacob
2. A surname carried by numerous individuals across English-speaking countries and beyond, including several notable writers and public figures
3. An inherited family name held by a range of people, traditionally derived from the biblical patriarch of the same name

Etymology: Cockney rhyming slang works by swapping a word for a phrase that rhymes with it, then often dropping the rhyming part so only the first word remains. Here the phrase is "Jacob's Cream Crackers", a brand of biscuit, and the rhyme is with "knackers", a slang term for the testicles. Speakers say "jacobs" and the hearer is expected to supply the crackers and the rhyme. The chain of substitution is what makes the word unusual. Ordinary rhyming slang tends to hide an offensive or private word behind a harmless brand or object, and the brand here does the work of disguising a rude term in polite company. Because the clipped form "jacobs" sounds like a plain surname or a shop name, it can be said in front of people who would not catch the meaning at all.