What it means
Someone who hides behind rules and procedures, even when everyone knows a bit of common sense would sort it. The name comes from the whiny excuse it’s more than my job’s worth, meaning they’re terrified of getting told off. Used for petty officials, bouncers, receptionists, and anyone who loves a clipboard more than helping people.
Usage examples
"That train guard wouldn’t let me on with a screenshot ticket even though the app was down. Proper jobsworth, like he’d get sacked for showing sense."
"The jobsworth wouldn't let us in two minutes early, rules are rules apparently."
"Had to deal with a proper jobsworth at the council office who kept sending me to the wrong window instead of just fixing the form."
"The bouncer went full jobsworth over my mate's slightly faded ID, acting like he'd been appointed king of laminated rules."
"Tried to swap platforms through the side gate and the bloke there went full jobsworth, pointing at the sign like it was holy scripture."
Where it comes from
It comes from the British line it's more than my job's worth, meaning someone won't bend a rule because they reckon they'll get grief from the boss. By the late 1970s and 1980s, jobsworth had taken off as a sneery label for petty rule-followers, especially in public-facing jobs.
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