{"id":7486,"date":"2021-01-29T01:41:18","date_gmt":"2021-01-29T01:41:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kinneybrothers.com\/blog\/?p=7486"},"modified":"2024-04-19T23:39:18","modified_gmt":"2024-04-19T23:39:18","slug":"fun-facts-91-jaywalker","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kinneybrothers.com\/blog\/blog\/2021\/01\/29\/fun-facts-91-jaywalker\/","title":{"rendered":"Fun Facts About English #91 – Jaywalker"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"Kinney<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Beginning in the Midwest in the early 19th-century, “jay” was common slang for an empty-headed chatterbox, like a bluejay.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By the later 19th century, using the word “jay” was akin to cursing and not to be taken lightly. A “jay” was a hick, a rube, or a downright dupe. A “jay town” was a fourth-rate or worthless place. In a display of contempt by an audience, “jay” could be hurled against a bad actor much like we say “hack” or “jackass” today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"New<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

As we moved into the 20th century, “jay” took on new meanings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA jay driver is a species of the human race who, when driving either a horse or an automobile, or riding a bicycle on the streets, does not observe the rules of the road. It is the custom of the jay driver to drive on the wrong side of the street.\u201d Emporia Gazette<\/em>, Kansas, 13 July 1911<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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