geezer
UK[ˈɡiːzə]US[ˈɡiːzər]
n
An informal, often slightly humorous or affectionate word for a man, especially an older one.
Etymology
The word 'geezer' has a fascinating journey from a term of contempt to one of casual, sometimes endearing, reference. It originated in late 19th-century British slang as a variant of 'guiser,' meaning 'one in disguise' or 'mummer,' a performer in a folk play. This 'guiser' itself came from the verb 'guise,' meaning 'to dress or appear in a particular style,' which has Old French and Germanic roots. Over time, 'geezer' shifted from describing a strangely dressed person to referring to any eccentric man, and finally softened into its current informal meaning for any man, particularly an older one, with its character defined more by context than by the word itself.
Analysis
The word 'geezer' is a simplex form. It does not break down into productive morphemes in modern English. It functions as a single lexical unit.
Examples
He's a lovely old geezer who's lived in the village his whole life.
Some geezer at the pub told me the funniest story.
You don't want to mess with him; he's a tough geezer.