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Origin of Phrases - J

 

Johnny-Come-Lately

A British expression from the early 1800s is "Johnny Newcome," applied to a sailor newly assigned to a naval ship.  Johhny-come-lately is an apparent Americanized version that also appeared in the 19th century.  Charles F. Briggs' 1839 novel The Adventures of Harry Franco is thought to be the first appearance: "'But it's Johhny Comelately, ain't it, you?' said a young mizzen topman."

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Origin of Phrases - J

 

Juggernaut

The Hindi word Jagganath is the title of Krishna, one of the incarnations of Vishnu. It comes from Sanskrit Jaganatha, a compound or jagat (world) and nathas (lord). It's applied top a large wagon on which an image of the god is carriedduring a precession.  It used to be said that worshippers of Krishna threw themselves under the wheels of the wagon in an access of religious ecstasy. And so juggernaut came to be used metaphorically in English for an "irresistible crushing force."

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Origin of Phrases - J

 

Junk

Early oriental sailing vessels - called junks - were ridiculously clumsy ships on the high seas, and the Europeans were said to have laughed every time one came into port.  What's more, many of these ships were loaded to the gunwales with items that no European sailor would accept as gifts.  So it came to pass that the apparently useless cargo came to bear the name of the vessel that transported it.

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Origin of Phrases - J

 

Just Under The Wire

The expression for barely making it on time comes from the racetracks.  Since only the top three (in those days, sometimes four) horses earned a payout, the third (or fourth) finisher was said to make it just under the wire - or finish line - before the next competitor.