jingo

[ jing-goh ]

noun

, plural jin·goes.

1. a person who professes their patriotism loudly and excessively, favoring vigilant preparedness for war and an aggressive foreign policy; bellicose chauvinist.
2. English History. a Conservative supporter of British Prime Minister Disraeli's policy in Turkey during the period 1877–78.

adjective

1. of jingoes.
2. characterized by jingoism.

jingo

/ ˈdʒɪŋɡəʊ /

noun

1. a loud and bellicose patriot; chauvinist
2. jingoism
3. by jingo
   an exclamation of surprise

Derived Forms

• ˈjingoish, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of jingo¹

First recorded in 1660–70; originally conjurer's call hey jingo! “appear! come forth!” (opposed to hey presto! hasten away!), taken into general use in the phrase by Jingo, euphemism for by God; chauvinistic sense from by Jingo in political song supporting use of British forces against Russia in 1878

Word History and Origins

Origin of jingo¹

C17: originally perhaps a euphemism for Jesus; applied to bellicose patriots after the use of by Jingo! in the refrain of a 19th-century music-hall song

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. by jingo! Informal. (an exclamation used to emphasize the truth or importance of a foregoing statement, or to express astonishment, approval, etc.):

   I know you can do it, by jingo!

Example Sentences

“I’m singing about ‘looking out for the jingoes and heathens’ or ‘another black kid shot in town’.”

From The Guardian

“By jingo, we can get them now,” cried one of the men.

From Literature

"In a democracy everybody speaks,” said Dad, "so, by jingo, start speaking.”

From Literature

“High jingo was an untouchable and dad was exactly that. He was untouchable. … He was the go-to guy for abortions, which of course was a felony back then.”

From Fox News

Read between the lines, people, and learn the jingo.

From New York Times