jig/gig

[Jonathan Lighter]

"Jig" was often spelled "gig" in the 17th C.

  So...well...just an observation.

  JL

"Dennis R. Preston" <preston at MSU.EDU> wrote:
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Sender: American Dialect Society
Poster: "Dennis R. Preston"

Subject: Re: jig/gig
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The "extra s" done got me. In my first mention of "Beaner's" new
name, I incorrectly called it "Biggbys." It's "Biggby." (The old name
is, however, "Beaner's.")

No mention of this ESA move yet on their website.

dInIs

PS: The "double g" is also interesting.

PPS: I would have recommended "BigB" (not "Bigbee" for obvious
reasons), but I would have charged a helluva lot for the consultation.

>---------------------- Information from the mail header
>-----------------------
>Sender: American Dialect Society
>Poster: "Dennis R. Preston"

>Subject: Re: jig/gig
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>Could some ESA (ethic slur avoidance) be going on here? I have seen
>younger people look nervous at uses of 'jig' even when it clearly
>refers to a dance.
>
>While on ESA's, the local (but expanding) East Lansing coffee outfit
>"Beaner's" has decided to become "Biggbys" (since it logo is a "Big
>B"). They want to avoid the slur of Hispanics (principally Mexicans
>and Mexican-Americans), and the change seems preemptive rather than
>reactive.
>
>I'm not sure how they will avoid the stress pattern implied by
>"Biggby" (with weak stress on the last syllable) when they obviously
>want their new name to recall the logo, but wadn't no linguists
>consulted.
>
>dInIs
>
>>---------------------- Information from the mail header
>>-----------------------
>>Sender: American Dialect Society
>>Poster: Laurence Urdang
>>Subject: jig/gig
>>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>>What I would qualify for inclusion in the burgeoning list of
>>Fractured Idioms is the recently heard, "the gig is up."
>> "The jig is up" has cites going back to the 18th century, but it
>>must be admitted that today, "the gig is up" has more meaning to
>>those familiar with the entertainment business. Danse macabre there
>>somewhere?
>> L. Urdang
>> Old Lyme
>>
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>
>
>--
>It should be the chief aim of a university professor to exhibit
>himself [sic] in his own true character - that is, as an ignorant man
>thinking, actively utilizing his small share of knowledge. Alfred
>North Whitehead
>
>Dennis R. Preston
>University Distinguished Professor
>Department of English
>Morrill Hall 15-C
>Michigan State University
>East Lansing, MI 48824-1036 USA
>Office: (517) 353-4736
>Fax: (517) 353-3755
>
>------------------------------------------------------------
>The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org


--
It should be the chief aim of a university professor to exhibit
himself [sic] in his own true character - that is, as an ignorant man
thinking, actively utilizing his small share of knowledge. Alfred
North Whitehead

Dennis R. Preston
University Distinguished Professor
Department of English
Morrill Hall 15-C
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1036 USA
Office: (517) 353-4736
Fax: (517) 353-3755

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The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org



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