Jerry-getting (or nicking, or stealing).—Stealing watches.
1888. Tit-Bits, 17 Nov. Watch stealing, or jerry getting, as the thieving fraternity designate the operation, is carried on to a considerable extent all the year round.
Jerry-go-nimble, subs. (old).—1.
The diarrhœa; the back-door-trot
(q.v.); the collywobbles
(q.v.). Formerly thorough-go-nimble
(q.v. for synonyms).
1734. Carey, Chrononhotonthologos, sc. 3. Now . . . for a swingeing lye. . . . Say she has got the thorough-go-nimble.
2. (old.)—An antic; a jack-pudding (q.v.).
1884. Henley & Stevenson, Deacon Brodie, iii, 3. You're a man of parts, you are, you're solid, you're a true-born Englishman; you ain't a jerry-go-nimble like him.
Jerry Lynch, subs. (common)—A
pickled pig's-head.
Jerrymander, subs. (political).—See
Gerrymander and add following
quots.
1871. Pall Mall Gazette, 4 Mar. Wonderful adepts in the art of jerrymandering.
1872. Globe, 19 July. Jerrymandering is not to be numbered with the other novelties imported into our political system from America.
1883. Echo, 7 Dec, p. 1, col. 5. The Marquis of Salisbury, in a recent speech, attributed the origin of what he called jerrymandering to an individual called Jeremiah Manders. This is a fair example of the Marquis's accuracy, neither one nor the other of these names being correct.
1883. H. Fawcett, in Daily News, Nov. 9, p. 3, col. 2. If equal electoral districts were introduced, the success of political parties would mainly depend on skilfully manipulating, from time to time, the boundaries of boroughs. This is so well known in the United States that this manipulation has been elevated into a fine art, and is known there as jerrymandering.
Jerry-shop, subs. (old).—A beer-house.
Also Jerry.
1851-61. H. Mayhew, London Lab. & Lon. Poor, ii. p. 255. An advance of 5/- made to him by the keeper of a beer-shop, or, as he called it, a jerry.
Jerry-sneak, subs. (old).—1. See
quot. 1763, the origin of the phrase.
1763. Foote, Mayor of Garrett, Dramatis Personae. Jerry Sneak, a henpecked husband.
1772. G. A. Stevens, Songs Comic and Satyrical, 177. He is always at home Sir John Brute to his wife, Abroad, Jerry-sneak to his drab.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1821. Combe, Syntax, Wife, C. I. I know, my friend, that you inherit A portion large of manly spirit, That you would ne'er be brought to speak In humble tone of Jerry sneak.
1845. Surtees, Hillingdon Hall, ii. 6 (1888). A poor, little, henpecked, jerry sneak of a husband.
1830. John Poole, Turning The Tables, sc. iii. A poor jerry sneak, as they took me to be.
2. (thieves').—A watch thief. Cf. Jerry.
Jerry-wag, subs. (old).—A spreester
(q.v.) especially one half
drunk.—Bee (1823). Jerry-wag-shop
= coffee shop.
Jersey-Lightning, subs. (American).—Cider
brandy.
1871. De Vere, Americanisms, p. 415. Known . . . in the pretentious form of Apple-john in New England it has the terrible name of Jersey lightning farther south.
Jerusalem! intj. (common).—An
exclamation of surprise. Go to
Jerusalem! = go to Jericho
(q.v.).
