Jigger
/ˈdʒɪɡ.ər/noun
A small measuring cup for liquor, a thing or device used for jolting or lifting, or a person/thing that jiggles or moves sharply.
Did you know?The word is tied to older English slang built around quick, jerky movement, and it later got pulled into bar culture as a precise little measure—proof that even a tiny cup can have a surprisingly kinetic past.
Etymological Timeline
Early Modern English
English
jiggen
“to move jerkily or shake”
17th Century
English
jig
“a lively dance; also a quick, tripping movement”
17th–18th Century
English
jigger
“something that moves, jolts, or agitates; later a small measure or device”
19th Century
English
jigger
“a small measure for spirits, especially in drinking contexts”
Modern English
English
jigger
“a small measuring cup, a device for moving or lifting, or various specialized tools and names”