Jehu
A driver who goes too fast, often with more nerve than sense.
Also called jehu.
Updated September 24, 2026
Jehu pronunciation
/JEE-hyoo/
Meaning
Call somebody a Jehu and you mean they drive like the road owes them money. Pickup flying past the church, gravel spraying, kids hanging on. Church folks especially use it, because the name comes straight out of the Bible. Half joke, half warning.
How folks use it
- “That boy drives like Jehu every time he leaves the house.”
- “Don't ride with him; he's a Jehu behind the wheel.”
Origin and etymology
From Jehu, a king of Israel in 2 Kings. A watchman spots him by how he handles the chariot: he driveth furiously. By the 1700s, English slang used Jehu for a coachman or anybody who drove wild. Bible-reading Southern communities kept the nickname alive for reckless drivers.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jehu always an insult?
Mostly a jab. Sometimes affectionate if your cousin just likes to floor it. Still means they're driving too hard.