I'm in a little bit of a jam
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 11:44 am
"jam" the word that is bugging me this week... is a small word that has a myriad of definitions, although related definitions. But apparently no one knows its origin, perhaps because it is such a simply common word no one has bothered.
I look on babblefish and it seems that "jam" is "jam" in both German & Dutch too. So that seems to give a clue that it is one of those common Germanic words. Ann thought on where this word comes from?
Definitions-
jam
• verb (jammed, jamming) 1 squeeze or pack tightly into a space. 2 push roughly and forcibly into a position. 3 block (something such as a road) through crowding. 4 become or make unable to function due to a part becoming stuck. 5 (jam on) apply forcibly: he jammed on the brakes. 6 make a radio transmission unintelligible by causing interference. 7 informal improvise with other musicians.
• noun 1 an instance of jamming. 2 informal an awkward situation or predicament. 3 informal an improvised performance by a group of musicians.
— ORIGIN probably symbolic. (huh?)
also...
jam [ jam ]
noun: fruit spread: a spread made from fruit boiled with sugar
[Mid-18th century. Origin ?]
I look on babblefish and it seems that "jam" is "jam" in both German & Dutch too. So that seems to give a clue that it is one of those common Germanic words. Ann thought on where this word comes from?
Definitions-
jam
• verb (jammed, jamming) 1 squeeze or pack tightly into a space. 2 push roughly and forcibly into a position. 3 block (something such as a road) through crowding. 4 become or make unable to function due to a part becoming stuck. 5 (jam on) apply forcibly: he jammed on the brakes. 6 make a radio transmission unintelligible by causing interference. 7 informal improvise with other musicians.
• noun 1 an instance of jamming. 2 informal an awkward situation or predicament. 3 informal an improvised performance by a group of musicians.
— ORIGIN probably symbolic. (huh?)
also...
jam [ jam ]
noun: fruit spread: a spread made from fruit boiled with sugar
[Mid-18th century. Origin ?]