By Jingo
Encyclopedia
The expression "by Jingo" is apparently a minced oath
that appeared rarely in print, but which may be traced as far back as to at least the 17th century in a transparent euphemism
for "by Jesus
". The OED
attests the first appearance in 1794, in an English edition of the works of François Rabelais
as a translation for the French par Dieu! ("by God!").
The form "by Gingo!" is also recorded in 18th century.
The expression "hey Jingo"/"hey Yingo" was also known in the vocabulary of illusionists and jugglers as a cue for magic appearance of objects (cf. "presto
"). Martim de Albuquerque
in his 1881 "Notes and Queries" mentions a 1679 printed usage of the expression.
Origins have also been claimed for it in languages that would not have been very familiar in the British pub: in Basque
, for example, Jinko is a form of the word for "God
". A claim that the term referred to Empress Jingū has been entirely dismissed.
The chorus of a 1878 song by G. H. MacDermott
(singer) and George William Hunt (songwriter) commonly sung in pubs
and music hall
s of the Victorian era
gave birth to the term "jingoism
". The song was written in response to the surrender of Plevna
to Russia
during the Russo-Turkish War, by which the road to Constantinople
was open.. The lyrics had the chorus:
Albert Von Tilzer
's 1919 novelty song
Oh By Jingo!
was one of the biggest hits of the Tin Pan Alley
era.
The 1970 song "After All" by David Bowie also makes prominent use of the expression "Oh by Jingo", as it deals specifically with the subject of Jingoism
Minced oath
A minced oath is an expression based on a profanity or a taboo term that has been altered to reduce the objectionable characteristics.Many languages have such expressions...
that appeared rarely in print, but which may be traced as far back as to at least the 17th century in a transparent euphemism
Euphemism
A euphemism is the substitution of a mild, inoffensive, relatively uncontroversial phrase for another more frank expression that might offend or otherwise suggest something unpleasant to the audience...
for "by Jesus
Jesus
Jesus of Nazareth , commonly referred to as Jesus Christ or simply as Jesus or Christ, is the central figure of Christianity...
". The OED
Online Etymology Dictionary
The Online Etymology Dictionary is an online dictionary that describes the origins of English-language words. The abbreviation, OED, coincides with the frequently used acronym for the Oxford English Dictionary.-Description:...
attests the first appearance in 1794, in an English edition of the works of François Rabelais
François Rabelais
François Rabelais was a major French Renaissance writer, doctor, Renaissance humanist, monk and Greek scholar. He has historically been regarded as a writer of fantasy, satire, the grotesque, bawdy jokes and songs...
as a translation for the French par Dieu! ("by God!").
The form "by Gingo!" is also recorded in 18th century.
The expression "hey Jingo"/"hey Yingo" was also known in the vocabulary of illusionists and jugglers as a cue for magic appearance of objects (cf. "presto
Presto
-As a common word:* An incantation or interjection used by some stage magicians* A musical score marking indicating a fast tempo* An exclamation to mean: [to be completed] right away, instantly, i.e. "magically"-Places:*Presto, Bolivia...
"). Martim de Albuquerque
Martim de Albuquerque
Martim de Albuquerque was a contributor to Notes and Queries, the Medium of Inter-Communication, for Literary Men, Artists, Antiquaries, Genealogists, etc., a periodical published in London in the 1850s and 1860s....
in his 1881 "Notes and Queries" mentions a 1679 printed usage of the expression.
Origins have also been claimed for it in languages that would not have been very familiar in the British pub: in Basque
Basque language
Basque is the ancestral language of the Basque people, who inhabit the Basque Country, a region spanning an area in northeastern Spain and southwestern France. It is spoken by 25.7% of Basques in all territories...
, for example, Jinko is a form of the word for "God
God
God is the English name given to a singular being in theistic and deistic religions who is either the sole deity in monotheism, or a single deity in polytheism....
". A claim that the term referred to Empress Jingū has been entirely dismissed.
The chorus of a 1878 song by G. H. MacDermott
G. H. MacDermott
Gilbert Hastings MacDermott was one of the biggest stars of the Victorian English music hall. He performed under the name of The Great MacDermott, and was well known for his rousing rendition of a war song he was persuaded to buy from G. W. Hunt for one guinea...
(singer) and George William Hunt (songwriter) commonly sung in pubs
Public house
A public house, informally known as a pub, is a drinking establishment fundamental to the culture of Britain, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. There are approximately 53,500 public houses in the United Kingdom. This number has been declining every year, so that nearly half of the smaller...
and music hall
Music hall
Music Hall is a type of British theatrical entertainment which was popular between 1850 and 1960. The term can refer to:# A particular form of variety entertainment involving a mixture of popular song, comedy and speciality acts...
s of the Victorian era
Victorian era
The Victorian era of British history was the period of Queen Victoria's reign from 20 June 1837 until her death on 22 January 1901. It was a long period of peace, prosperity, refined sensibilities and national self-confidence...
gave birth to the term "jingoism
Jingoism
Jingoism is defined in the Oxford English Dictionary as extreme patriotism in the form of aggressive foreign policy. In practice, it is a country's advocation of the use of threats or actual force against other countries in order to safeguard what it perceives as its national interests...
". The song was written in response to the surrender of Plevna
Pleven
Pleven is the seventh most populous city in Bulgaria. Located in the northern part of the country, it is the administrative centre of Pleven Province, as well as of the subordinate Pleven municipality...
to Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
during the Russo-Turkish War, by which the road to Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
was open.. The lyrics had the chorus:
- We don't want to fight but by Jingo if we do,
- We've got the ships, we've got the men, we've got the money too,
- We've fought the Bear before, and while we're Britons true,
- The Russians shall not have Constantinople.
Albert Von Tilzer
Albert Von Tilzer
Albert Von Tilzer was an American songwriter, the younger brother of fellow songwriter Harry Von Tilzer. He wrote the music to many hit songs, including, most notably, "Take Me Out To The Ball Game"....
's 1919 novelty song
Novelty song
A novelty song is a comical or nonsensical song, performed principally for its comical effect. Humorous songs, or those containing humorous elements, are not necessarily novelty songs. The term arose in Tin Pan Alley to describe one of the major divisions of popular music. The other two divisions...
Oh By Jingo!
Oh By Jingo!
"Oh By Jingo!" is a 1919 novelty song by Albert Von Tilzer with lyrics by Lew Brown.The song was featured in the Broadway show "Linger Longer Letty", and became one of the biggest Tin Pan Alley hits of the post-World War I era....
was one of the biggest hits of the Tin Pan Alley
Tin Pan Alley
Tin Pan Alley is the name given to the collection of New York City music publishers and songwriters who dominated the popular music of the United States in the late 19th century and early 20th century...
era.
The 1970 song "After All" by David Bowie also makes prominent use of the expression "Oh by Jingo", as it deals specifically with the subject of Jingoism
Jingoism
Jingoism is defined in the Oxford English Dictionary as extreme patriotism in the form of aggressive foreign policy. In practice, it is a country's advocation of the use of threats or actual force against other countries in order to safeguard what it perceives as its national interests...