Jefferson. The name of a river, a city, and a mount in the United States, after Thomas Jefferson, the third President.
Jeffreys Street. After one of the family names of the Earl of Brecknock, Marquis of Camden, the ground landlord.
Jehu. A cabman, in allusion to Jehu, the son of Nimshi, who, we are told in 2 Kings ix. 20, drove furiously.
Jeremiad. A tale of woe, a doleful story. So called after the Prophet Jeremiah, who wrote the “Book of Lamentations.”
Jerked Meat. Dried meat, more particularly beef dried in the open air. The term is derived from the Chilian charqui, applied[applied] to dried beef throughout Spanish America.
Jerkin. Expresses the diminutive of the Dutch jurk, coat, frock; hence a short coat or jacket.
Jermyn Street. From the town house of Henry Jermyn, Earl of St Albans.
Jerry Builder. A speculative builder who runs up whole streets of houses as cheaply as possible in order to sell them. The word “Jerry,” derived from the French jour, day, is a corruption of joury, meaning temporary, unsubstantial.
Jersey. From Czar’s-ey, or “Cæsar’s Isle,” so called by the Romans in honour of Julius Cæsar. The close-fitting rowing shirt and female bodice received the name of a Jersey because it was first worn by the inhabitants of this isle.
Jersey Lily. The punning pet name of Mrs Langtry, when, as a society star, she first adopted the stage as a profession. Her Christian name is Lillie, and she was born in Jersey.