How Do You Spell SUPERGRASS?

Pronunciation: [sˈuːpəɡɹˌas] (IPA)

The term "supergrass" is a combination of two words, "super" and "grass", and is used to refer to an informant or collaborator who works with the police to provide information about criminal activities. The word is spelled as /ˈsuːpəɡræs/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The "su-" is pronounced as "soo", the "-per" as "puh-r", and the "-grass" as "gras". The hyphen between "super" and "grass" indicates that they are separate words that have been combined to create the term.

SUPERGRASS Meaning and Definition

1. The term "supergrass" refers to a person who acts as a police informant, typically within a criminal organization or gang, by providing detailed and crucial information regarding criminal activities and the identities of those involved. The concept of a supergrass originated in the United Kingdom, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s, to combat the rise of organized crime and terrorism.

   A supergrass is an individual who, often due to legal pressure or a desire for personal gain, decides to cooperate with law enforcement agencies. They provide evidence against their former associates, offering insights into illegal operations, planning, and key individuals involved therein. The information shared by a supergrass is typically substantial, going beyond mere hearsay or speculation.

   Supergrasses play a significant role in assisting the criminal justice system by providing crucial evidence that can lead to the successful prosecution of criminal organizations. They may testify in court, and their evidence can be instrumental in establishing guilt or corroborating existing evidence against criminal associates.

   However, the reliance on supergrasses also raises concerns about their credibility and motivations. Due to their former involvement in criminal activities, critics argue that their evidence may be biased or unreliable. Therefore, the accuracy and veracity of their testimony are often critically assessed by the courts and subjected to rigorous scrutiny.

   In summary, a supergrass is an informant who provides substantial and crucial information to the authorities, often against their former associates, with the aim of assisting law enforcement agencies in combating organized crime.

Common Misspellings for SUPERGRASS

• superklass
• aupergrass
• zupergrass
• xupergrass
• dupergrass
• eupergrass
• wupergrass
• supegrass
• Sooopergrass
• Supergirss
• Sauergrass
• superorary

Etymology of SUPERGRASS

The word "supergrass" primarily has two different but related etymologies, depending on the context in which it is used.

1. In British English, the term "supergrass" originally emerged in the 1970s as a colloquial term specifically associated with the criminal underworld and law enforcement. It is derived from a combination of the words "super" and "grass". In this context, "grass" is a slang term used to describe an informer or a person who provides law enforcement with information about criminal activities. It is believed to originate from the rhyming slang phrase "grasshopper", which refers to a person who "hops" or talks to the police. The addition of "super" to "grass" was added to emphasize the magnitude or significance of the informer.

Similar spelling words for SUPERGRASS

• supersession,
• superslasher,
• suppression,
• supersede,
• suppressive,
• suppressant,
• superclass,
• supergiant,
• superstar,
• suppressed,
• suppress,
• supercargo,
• subprogram,
• super acid.

Plural form of SUPERGRASS is SUPERGRASSES