Meaning

Lantern-jawed

Categorised in: The Canting Crew ·A list of phrases about parts of the body

What's the meaning of the word 'Lantern-jawed'?

To be lantern-jawed is to have a prominent and angular jaw.

Lantern-jawed
Lantern-jawed - caption

What’s the origin of the word ‘Lantern-jawed’?

There’s not much to say about this expression than what it means and where it came from.

The first example of its use in print is from the late 17th century glossary or words used by the English criminal classes A New Dictionary of the Terms Ancient and Modern of the Canting Crew, 1699:

Lantern jaw’d, a very lean, thin faced Fellow.

Historical trend

“Lantern - jawed” in printed material over time

Source: Google Books Ngrams (1820–2020).

18201840186018801900192019401960198020002020
  • Lantern - jawed