Re: Startup in NB70.b

[cld@xxxxxxxx (Carl Distefano)]

Reply to note from "Robert H. Kubie"  Sat, 21
Feb 2004 16:56:21 -0600

> The word is not "jerry rig." It is "jury rig."

Yes. The American Heritage Dictionary (4th ed.) recognizes jerry-
rig as an "alteration" of jury-rig, "influenced by" jerry-build (to
build from shoddy or flimsy materials).

Apparently jury- and jerry- have different origins. At least, the
OED doesn't seem to draw a connection:

OED, 2d ed. (jerry-builder):
Origin not ascertained. That jerry-builder and jerry-built
originated in some way from the name Jerry is probable; but the
statement made in a letter to the newspapers in Jan. 1884, that they
commemorate the name of a building firm on the Mersey, has on
investigation not been confirmed. The earliest example yet found is
that of jerry-built 1869.

OED, 2d ed. (jury-mast):
Origin unknown. App. either a corruption of some earlier name, or a
jocular appellation invented by sailors. For the suggestion that it
may have been short for injury-mast, no supporting evidence has been
found.

Compare American Heritage Dictionary, 4th ed:
>From jury-rig, jury-rigging, improvised rigging on a ship, modeled
on jury-mast, temporary mast, perhaps ultimately from Old French
ajurie, help, from aider, to help. See aid.

Aid: Middle English aiden, from Old French aider, from Latin
adiutare, frequentative of adiuvare, to help...

Unrelated (?) to the jury that swears (jurare) to render a lawful
verdict.

--
Carl Distefano
cld@xxxxxxxx