landsman

Meaning

Noun

• A person who does not go to sea, who lacks the skills of a sailor or who is uncomfortable on ships or boats.
• A person who negotiates leases, contracts and other business deals between producers and landowners.
• A fellow Jew who comes from the same district or town, especially in Eastern Europe
• Someone of a similar heritage or belief system
• A military rank given to naval recruits

Origin

• From land + -s-. In meanings 3 and 4, influenced by Yiddish לאַנדסמאַן. Compare also German Landsmann, Norwegian landsmann. lantzman.