Re: Goodness gracious

Posted by ESC on October 13, 2002

In Reply to: Re: Goodness gracious posted by Gary on October 13, 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?

: : : : : : : : I think it comes exclusively from that biscuit confection with strawberry jam (or jelly if you're US) inside, meaning a dodgy sort of person-with the 'dodger' bit left out.

: : : : : : : We have strawberry jam in the US, too. Jam, made with whole fruit, has seeds; jelly, made with juice, doesn't.

: : : : : : It has a different consistency too. When I see a glob on the kitchen table, I think to myself, "It must be jelly 'cause jam don't shake that way."

: : : : : I'll just bet you do.

: : : : And as The Killer sings:
: : : : I like a little coffee/I like a little tea/ But jelly, jelly, jelly is the thing for me"

: : : I assume you mean Mr. J.L. Lewis? If so I think (thing?) he might well have been singing Jerry, Jerry, Jerry is the thing for me. I worked with "Killer" in the 1970s in my previous life as a recording engineer. A most alarming character. As far as I know he didn't actually kill anyone during his stay in London but he always gave the impression it was his response of choice if you did something he wasn't 100% pleased with. From the safe distance of 25 years and a few thousand miles I can say that he came across as a tiny bit conceited.

: : : Great to have had a front row seat while he knocked seven bells out of the studio piano though.

: : Now I'm going to have to get out my CDs and listen carefully. Was the original "jelly, jelly, jelly" and he changed it? Jerry Lee Lewis is my favorite. My twins were born on his birthday. Although I'm not quite sure what to make of that. What I like about him is that he has NEVER mellowed and he doesn't suffer fools gladly. I know he didn't kill anyone but he's kind of scary anyway.

: I've always liked his music too. I just didn't like him very much.

But I sure would like to be able to intimidate people like he does. Very scary guy.