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Jammy

Posted by Bob on October 11, 2002

In Reply to: Jammy posted by TheFallen on October 11, 2002

: : Does anyone know where the expression adjective "jammy" comes from. I'm not sure how widely it's used but means lucky - as a kid it was lengthened to "jammy dodger" which is a biscuit - any ideas?

: Jammy is by now a slightly quaint and archaic slang term that's exclusively British, I believe. It means as you rightly say "lucky" - usually used in a tone of some grudging jealousy and/or admiration. It seems to have stemmed from a British colloquial usage of the noun "jam", meaning something easy. pleasant or fortunate - "money for jam" is clearly a related expression, though again outmoded.

You're correct about it being exclusively British. It's never heard here in the US.

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