Search results for 'jam':

jam¹ noun a thick sticky food made from fruit boiled with sugar, used as a spread on bread, etc. jam tomorrow colloq something agreeable which is constantly promised but which never arrives
ETYMOLOGY: 1871, from Lewis Carroll's Through the Looking Glass 'The rule is jam to-morrow and jam yesterday - but never jam to-day' money for jam colloq money easily made. want jam on it colloq to expect more than is reasonable.
ETYMOLOGY: 18c.

jam² verb (jammed, jamming) 1 often in passive to stick or wedge something so as to make it immovable. 2 tr & intr said of machinery, etc: to stick or make it stick and stop working. 3 to push or shove something; to cram, press or pack. 4 (also jam something up) to fill (eg a street) so full that movement comes to a stop. 5 to cause interference to (a radio signal, etc), especially deliberately. 6 intrans, colloq to play jazz in a jam session.
ETYMOLOGY: 18c: probably an imitation of the actions or its sound.