jigger 1 |ˈjigər|noun1 a machine or vehicle with a part that rocks or moves back and forth, e.g., a jigsaw.2 a person who dances a jig.3 a small fore-and-aft sail set at the stern of a ship.• a small tackle consisting of a double and single block or two single blocks with a rope.4 a measure or small glass of spirits or wine.5 dated Golf a metal golf club with a narrow face.6 used to refer to a thing whose name one does not know or does not wish to mention : see them little jiggers?verb [ trans. ] informalrearrange or tamper with.PHRASESwell, I'll be (or I'm) jiggered used to express one's astonishment.ORIGIN mid 16th cent. (originally a slang word for a door): from the verb jig (the relationship with which is obscure in certain senses).
According to my other dictionary, "I'll be jiggered" is a British expression. I've sure never heard it before yesterday—from Charlie Cochrane. Brits have the awesomest expressions. I want to steal them all. And sometimes I do—my poor editor keeps asking if I'm intentionally making my characters sound British.
Just tell your editor that your characters are well-read!
ReplyDeleteAlthough I've heard of this expression, I'm sure Charlie won't mind if I say that it's a little old-fashioned; the sort of thing you might read in an Agatha Christie. Charlie does tend to inhabit the early 20th century when she's writing Orlando and Jonty!
She does, doesn't she? Well, I figure if I sound Brit, I might as well sound old-fashioned too.
DeleteCharlie inhabits the early 20th century most of the time. I blame living in an Edwardian house.
ReplyDelete"I'll be jiggered" is a lovely minced oath. Like "Would I fairy cakes."
Lol, Charlie, every time you explain one aspect of your exotic language I'm left with more questions. What is "minced oath"? Or the other other thing after it?
Delete"Minced oaths are a sub-group of euphemisms used to avoid swearing when expressing surprise or annoyance" (see http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/minced-oath.html). "Would I fairy cakes" is a phrase (new to me) to express the unlikelihood of Charlie's doing whatever it is, in response to being asked something like: "Would you...?". If I can remember it I'm going to use it from now on (with a copyright acknowledgment, of course).
DeleteMinced oath examples:
DeleteWhat the Dickens is going on? (Instead of What the devil is going on?)
What the fairy cakes? (Instead of What the F***?)
We have a selection of not quite swear words chez Cochrane. "Hell's teeth and knickers!" "Pee po belly bum drawers!"
I've used it as a verb before, but that's it.
ReplyDeleteYeah, but which meaning?
DeleteOnly one is a verb - the rest are nouns.
Delete