Jan 10, 2005 00:19
19 yrs ago
5 viewers *
English term

to jones

Homework / test English Other Slang
Now what exactly is "to jones" or "jonesing"? I mean, I've heard this a few times, but always in a very non-formal context. Does it mean several things? Can someone give me a few good examples of this "jonesing"?

Just a question that has been bothering me and would like to know an answer. Thanks.

Discussion

Non-ProZ.com Jan 15, 2005:
Thanks.
Refugio Jan 10, 2005:
"Sorrowful Jones" was a notoriously cheap bookie in the Shirley Temple movie. Maybe it comes from that, as in, mooching what others have paid for?
Non-ProZ.com Jan 10, 2005:
What about, "don't you be jonesing on that slice now"?
But when someone actually takes the last slice, can't you say, "you're jonesing on the pizza"? I think that usage is out there somewhere.
NGK Jan 10, 2005:
I don't think that's acceptable usage. But you could say "I'm jonesin' for some pizza" = "I have a craving for pizza".
Non-ProZ.com Jan 10, 2005:
Thanks for the answers so far. Can you say something like, "hey, you took the last slice of pizza. You are jonesing on my pizza." Is that acceptable usage?

Responses

+2
3 mins
Selected

definition

be jonesing for sth = to want something very much:
- I'm jonesing for a coffee - can we take a break?
http://www.freesearch.co.uk/dictionary/jonesing

Jonesing -- definition: to have a strong need, desire, or craving for something
urbandictionary.com



--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 mins (2005-01-10 00:24:21 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

You might find this interesting...
\"The use of jones in the sense \'crave\' is a rather recent development. The first meaning was \'a craving for heroin\', attested in the early 1960s; the sense \'a craving of any kind\' developed by 1970.\"
http://www.randomhouse.com/wotd/index.pperl?date=19961031
Peer comment(s):

agree Will Matter
29 mins
Thanks.... :-)
agree NancyLynn : exactly! origins in drug use
21 hrs
Thanks.... :-)
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
4 mins

to experience sexual desire or be addicted to drugs

A. Jones is Samuel Jones, a lawyer sometimes called Father of the New York Bar. He owned the land on which Great Jones Street now runs and bequeathed the property to the city with the caveat that any street that ran through the land be named for him.

In 1789 a street was opened there, but New York already had a Jones Street in Greenwich Village. So the new street was named Great Jones Street because it was wider than the norm.

In his desire to be remembered, Jones may have linked himself with a different aspect of the city's culture. The slang term "jones," meaning an addiction to drugs, is said to have originated among addicts who lived in Great Jones Alley, off Great Jones Street, between Broadway and Lafayette Street.

(extract from the "New York Times" site, article by Ed Boland, Jr)

http://www.yaelf.com/slang.shtml

1. jones
a drug addiction(does not come from a name, see also skag jones)
A jones can take a lot of money out of saving. This is another reason no to do drugs.
Source: Light Joker, Dec 9, 2004

click to vote
link
send
redefine
remove
quality control

2. Jones
Can be used as a verb (Jonesing) or a noun (a jones). Describes a state in which one experiences strong desire or attraction, often of a sexual nature. Equiv. "to fancy" "crushing on" "to want"
She's been jonesin him for months.
He's got a major jones for her.
Source: JediAndi, Apr 4, 2003

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=jones&defid=9...
Something went wrong...
-1
4 mins

keeping up with the Jones'

This is one of the meanings. Keeping up with their financial level, usually.
Peer comment(s):

disagree NancyLynn : but jonesing is something entirely different.
21 hrs
Something went wrong...
+7
7 mins

to crave/vomit/feel withdrawal symptoms

From the Berkeley Slang Dict

jonesing v 1. to vomit. 2. to be on crank. Submitted by Michael David, Los Angeles, CA, USA, 12-14-1996. 3. to feel withdrawal symptoms, especially from a drug. ("He was jonesing for a smoke.") Submitted by Doug, Ohio, USA, 04-06-1997. 4. to crave something, not necessarily a drug. ("Man, I'm jonesing for a kiss!") vomit under the influence of drugs withdrawal crave

From:http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~wrader/slang/j.html
Peer comment(s):

agree Anna Maria Augustine (X)
2 mins
thx, Anna
agree Marian Greenfield
5 mins
thx, Marian
agree Tehani
9 mins
thx, Tehani
agree NGK
14 mins
thx, Norbert
agree rangepost : More or less-To Crave s/t
1 hr
thx, rangepost
agree Mark Xiang
8 hrs
agree NancyLynn : yep - to be craving a drug
21 hrs
Something went wrong...
+2
8 mins

two more

(Slang) extreme strong wish; extreme passion as "having the jones for someone"

jones
noun. Drugspeak for an addict's habit.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 mins (2005-01-10 00:29:05 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Jones

a craving for something; it is said to come from Jones Alley in Manhattan where junkies used to live. E.g.: baseball Jones: needing baseball
love Jones: a dire craving for someone
jonesing for some MJ: wanting some marijuana:\"I got a love Jones for your body and skin tone\" -- Method Man & Mary J. Blidge (You are all I need [1994])
Peer comment(s):

agree Anna Maria Augustine (X)
1 min
Thank you, Anna
agree NancyLynn : drugspeak.
21 hrs
Thank you, Nancy
Something went wrong...
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search