I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌjak noun
also cheap-john ˈ ̷ ̷ˌjän
( -s )
Usage: sometimes capitalized J
Etymology: cheap (III) + Jack or John (the names) — more at jack , john
1. : a hawker or peddler : huckster ; especially : a hawker who bargains over his goods
cheap-jacks have mingled with showmen, especially on fairgrounds, since the 18th century — Eric Partridge
2. : a dealer in cheap often inferior or worthless merchandise
so many cheap-jacks with their bottled, spiritual cure-alls — G.S.Fraser
II. adjective
also cheap-john “
Usage: sometimes capitalized J
: of, relating to, or befitting a cheap-jack: as
a. : often inferior, cheap, or worthless
cheap-jack wares
cheap-jack dramaturgy
b. : opportunistic especially unscrupulously or in dealing in inferior goods
the cheap-jack speculators … destroying the beauty of London — Robert Lutyens