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Well i'll be jiggered
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What is the origin of this phrase ? And what is a jigger ? I've always thought it sounded faintly obscene.
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For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.In the sense of 'I can't believe it!', the origin is uncertain, but it is probably just a euphemistic version of something more profane much as 'Cor blimey!' is a more acceptable version of 'God blind me!
One meaning of 'to jigger' was to make a series of rapid, jerky movements such as a fish might make whilst trying to escape a hook. As a result, it came to mean exhausted, tired out or 'done for'. There may just possibly be some connection between the two meanings..."Well, I'm done for!"
One meaning of 'to jigger' was to make a series of rapid, jerky movements such as a fish might make whilst trying to escape a hook. As a result, it came to mean exhausted, tired out or 'done for'. There may just possibly be some connection between the two meanings..."Well, I'm done for!"