Jingle-Jangle
/ˈdʒɪŋ.ɡəl ˈdʒæŋ.ɡəl/noun
A light, rattling, tinkling sound or a set of small metallic objects that make such a sound.
Did you know?Unlike many old English words, jingle-jangle is a reduplicative sound-word, meaning its eerie, playful rhythm was deliberately shaped to imitate rattling metal and bells rather than inherited from a single ancient root.
Etymological Timeline
Late Middle English
English
jingle
“To make a light ringing or clinking sound.”
Early Modern English
English
jangle
“To make a harsh, discordant ringing or rattling sound.”
16th Century
English
jingle-jangle
“A reduplicated expressive form intensifying the idea of rattling, tinkling noise.”
18th–19th Century
English
jingle-jangle
“Used for noisy, tinkling sounds and later for trivial chatter or flashy ornament.”
Modern English
English
jingle-jangle
“A rattling, tinkling sound; also used figuratively for noisy or showy clutter.”
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