Jam and jelly: nomenclature

Posted by ESC on October 11, 2002

In Reply to: Jam and jelly: nomenclature posted by Jellyroll Morton 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?

: : : 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.

• Jelly ESC 10/11/02
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