The Goon Show, like certain other BBC radio shows (e.g. ITMA - It's That Man Again - though that had started in 1939), lived in the backwash of WW2, its servicemen and their language. Thus this _goon_ was borrowed from the RAF where it (had) meant a seriously dumb individual. Other ex-RAF terms include tail-end Charlie, gen and glamour boy
I don't think the world "jigger" has vanished -- I use it (and the word "rejigger") to mean fiddling around with something, making small adjustments to make it work better. Merriam-Webster has it as a verb, "to alter or rearrange especially by manipulating."
I think that might be the sense Frederick Lewis Allen meant -- that Lincoln was an adjuster while Washington overturned the previous order, that Germans (in his eyes) are destructive while the French use finesse.
All that probably all comes from the same place -- "to jig" is to move with rapid jerky motions, which describes dancing a jig or the action of a jigsaw blade, jigging a lure in fishing, or fiddling with something rather than bashing it.
Where the word "jig" came from, no one seems to know, but it's been suggested that it comes from the Middle English "gyge" or the Old French "gigue," which both refer to fiddles or fiddling.
The cocktail jigger is apparently derived from "thingamajig," so it'd be a separate etymology.
“'Goon squads' were originally groups of violent thugs sent to assault workers who tried to form labor unions." That's the only sense I heard the word used in when I was growing up, but then my father was a member of the carpenters' union and one of the organizers of the Detroit Hunger March of 1932.
I didn't think about The Goon Show till I read the comments. Thanks for the reminder--I loved it.
I would guess that Egan's use of "Goon Squad" likely stems from Costello's, since so much of the book is about the music industry. But Costello's using it in the sense of "brutal enforcers," so it works out the same in the end.
Thanks to Todd Snider on Bluesky I now know about the verb “to goon.” Read at your own risk. https://www.them.us/story/what-is-gooning-and-is-anyone-actually-doing-it
why do I always look things up when I've been warned about looking things up why
Also on this topic... Gooner is a popular way for fans of Arsenal FC to refer to themselves!
I cannot tell you the depths of my dread reading this article and waiting for the inevitable shoe drop of "goon is also a verb."
The Goon Show, like certain other BBC radio shows (e.g. ITMA - It's That Man Again - though that had started in 1939), lived in the backwash of WW2, its servicemen and their language. Thus this _goon_ was borrowed from the RAF where it (had) meant a seriously dumb individual. Other ex-RAF terms include tail-end Charlie, gen and glamour boy
Thanks, Jonathon!
I don't think the world "jigger" has vanished -- I use it (and the word "rejigger") to mean fiddling around with something, making small adjustments to make it work better. Merriam-Webster has it as a verb, "to alter or rearrange especially by manipulating."
I think that might be the sense Frederick Lewis Allen meant -- that Lincoln was an adjuster while Washington overturned the previous order, that Germans (in his eyes) are destructive while the French use finesse.
All that probably all comes from the same place -- "to jig" is to move with rapid jerky motions, which describes dancing a jig or the action of a jigsaw blade, jigging a lure in fishing, or fiddling with something rather than bashing it.
Where the word "jig" came from, no one seems to know, but it's been suggested that it comes from the Middle English "gyge" or the Old French "gigue," which both refer to fiddles or fiddling.
The cocktail jigger is apparently derived from "thingamajig," so it'd be a separate etymology.
Excellent — thanks!
I'd forgotten all about the Goops! (Though not about Alice the Goon, Goofus, or Gallant!)
What a fun essay!
“'Goon squads' were originally groups of violent thugs sent to assault workers who tried to form labor unions." That's the only sense I heard the word used in when I was growing up, but then my father was a member of the carpenters' union and one of the organizers of the Detroit Hunger March of 1932.
I didn't think about The Goon Show till I read the comments. Thanks for the reminder--I loved it.
In reference to your first footnote, inspired by the theme, i shall call him a giant "pootz"
Good one! I love pieces about words I've been called. Also, does anyone else suspect that Elon is starting to lose his marbles?
The drugs are taking their toll.
Can't wait for "Word of the week: K-hole" !
Spike Milligan took the title of the Goon Show from the Popeye comic.
Ying tong iddle i po.
Aha — thanks!
Do have a picture of Queen Victoria.
My friend Dom wrote a guest post for my blog where he talked about "his goons." (https://thingsilikeanddontlike.substack.com/p/like-my-gs-my-dogs-and-my-goons?utm_source=publication-search)
I didn't forget; just had to choose a cutoff point.
I would guess that Egan's use of "Goon Squad" likely stems from Costello's, since so much of the book is about the music industry. But Costello's using it in the sense of "brutal enforcers," so it works out the same in the end.