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Jingo

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By Jingo or By the Living Jingo. Basque “Jainko,” the Supreme Being. In corroboration of this derivation it may be stated that Edward I. had Basque mountaineers conveyed to England to take part in the conquest of Wales, and the Plantagenets held the Basque provinces in possession. The word was certainly used as a juron long before the Crimēan War.

“Hey, Jingo! What the deʹil’s the matter?

Do mermaids swim in Dartford water?”


Swift: Actæon (or The Original Horn Fair)


⁂ Dr. Morris, in his Historic Outlines (p. 210 note), says it is St. Gingulph, and Professor Skeat (Notes and Queries, August 25th, 1894, p. 149) is of the same opinion. According to The Times, June 25th, 1877, p. 6, col. 1), it is the Persian jang = war, and the juron “By St. Jingo” is about equal toBy Mars.” But the word had originally no connection with our jingoism. It was common enough in the early part of the nineteenth century. Query A corruption of Jesus, Son of God, thus, Je-n-go.

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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Jib
Jib (To)
Jib-boom
Jib-door
Jib-stay (A)
Jib Topsail (A)
Jiffy
Jig
Jilt (To)
Jim Crow
Jingo
Jingoes (The)
Jingoism
Jinn
Jinnistan
Joachim (St.)
Joan (Pope)
Joan Cromwell
Joan of Arc or Jeanne la Pucelle
Joannes Hagustaldensis
Job (o long)

See Also:

Jingo