Jig
/dʒɪɡ/noun
A lively dance in quick triple time, or a small mechanical device used for guiding work.
Did you know?The dance sense of jig is probably from a now-obsolete early modern English word for a light, lively tune or dance, while the word’s older history also links to playful, repetitive motion and performance.
Etymological Timeline
Middle English
English
gigge
“A fiddle tune, dance, or lively movement”
16th Century
English
jigge
“A light, spirited dance; also a comic performance or prank”
16th Century
English
jig
“A lively dance, often with singing or comic elements”
Modern English
English
jig
“A lively dance, or a device used to guide tools or hold work in place”