shyster

although the roots of this pejorative word are not very nice (probably from the German scheiss for shit), they are not related to the Shakespearean character Shylock (used anti-Semitically). It has generally been used to describe those who act unethically or unscrupulously, especially lawyers (or sometimes people in business or government). Avoid it as a knee-jerk adjective. "For every 'shyster' there are a thousand honest, effective lawyers who serve on community and charitable organizations, donate their time, talents, and money to local fine arts groups, school boards, food shelves, zoos, and educational activities, and in general contribute to the larger good" (Patrick J. Maggio).