Dictionary

Silent Sam en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˌsaɪlənt ˈsæm/
• (Australia) audio

Etymology

From silent (“speechless, mute”) + Sam (“a diminutive of male given name Samuel”). From ante 1920.

Meanings

1. (attributive, informal, sometimes) A person who seldom or never speaks; a taciturn or unresponsive individual.
   • But because Pierce has usually avoided the news media and gone about his work in the quiet behind-the-scenes way that brought him eminence as a top New York City litigator, the press has derisively tagged him "Silent Sam." 1983 Mar, “Sam Pierce Hangs Tough”, in Black Enterprise, volume 13, number 8, page 43:
   • With Silent Sam clients it is important for group leaders to make active and continuous efforts to get them involved in the group. 2011, Linda Carter Sobell, Mark B. Sobell, Group Therapy for Substance Use Disorders, →ISBN, page 205:
   • It's hard to get input from the Silent Sam even with a direct question—this person just doesn't have anything to say. 2008, Sara Pope, Team Leader Workbook, →ISBN, pages 4–31:
   • Now he threw the Silent Sam treatment on me. 2002, Jack Womack, Going, Going, Gone, →ISBN, page 47:
2. (broadly, informal) A machine, device, etc. which operates without making noticeable sound.
   • "I've named my new noiseless aeroplane—Army Air Scout—I've named that Silent Sam. Wait until you hear it, or rather, don't hear it, and I think you'll agree with me. Silent Sam for Uncle Sam!" 1919, Victor Appleton, chapter 17, in Tom Swift and His Air Scout:
   • Or if you're a coward, there's Silent Sam ($1950), an automated early-warning safety robot flagman. 1977 July, Richard West, “Reporter: Law and Order”, in Texas Monthly, volume 5, number 7, page 64:
3. (informal) A mixed alcoholic beverage, usually containing vodka, a cola soft drink, and other ingredients.
   • Ingredients: 13 oz vodka, 1 liter cola, (pepsi, coca cola...), 6-10 scoops iced tea. . . . Add all ingredients to a punch bowl. 2010, “Silent Sam Mix Cocktail Recipe”, in www.1001cocktails.com, retrieved 20 Apr 2011:

Forms

Relateds

slick Rick · doubting Thomas · Gentleman Jim · dismal Dora · sneaky Pete · nervous Nellie · gloomy Gus · Alibi Ike · fancy Dan · dreamy Daniel · good-time Charlie · lazy Lawrence · nervous Purvis · Dapper Dan · plain Jane

Translations (2)

fi tuppisuu (person who speaks seldom and little) · pl milczek (person who speaks seldom and little)