Why is J walking called J walking?

Answer 1

The word jaywalker is able to be traced back to 1917, though it may have been in use as early as 1900. It is generally considered to have originated in the United States, possibly from the city of Boston. It is a compound word of the words jay and walk; in this context, jay is used in the obsolete slang sense, referring to a stupid or dull person, or a rube, i.e. someone from a rural area and not familiar with "city ways". At the time, vehicles and traffic signals were a new concept, gaining popularity in the larger cities, so this term would have been used to describe newcomers who were unfamiliar with these recent developments and by extension, to ridicule people who behaved like newcomers but should have known better.

Answer 2

It's actually spelled jaywalking. Here's what Wikipedia has to say about the origin of the word...

The word jaywalker is able to be traced back to 1917, though it may have been in use as early as 1900. It is generally considered to have originated in the United States, possibly from the city of Boston. It is a compound word of the words jay and walk; in this context, jay is used in the obsolete slang sense, referring to a stupid or dull person, or a rube, i.e. someone from a rural area and not familiar with "city ways". At the time, vehicles and traffic signals were a new concept, gaining popularity in the larger cities, so this term would have been used to describe newcomers who were unfamiliar with these recent developments and by extension, to ridicule people who behaved like newcomers but should have known better.

Answer 3

The word jaywalker is able to be traced back to 1917, though it may have been in use as early as 1900. It is generally considered to have originated in the United States, possibly from the city of Boston. It is a compound word of the words jay and walk; in this context, jay is used in the obsolete slang sense, referring to a stupid or dull person, or a rube, i.e. someone from a rural area and not familiar with "city ways". At the time, vehicles and traffic signals were a new concept, gaining popularity in the larger cities, so this term would have been used to describe newcomers who were unfamiliar with these recent developments and by extension, to ridicule people who behaved like newcomers but should have known better.


Good Luck!!!

Answer 4

Despite its origins as referring to country hicks unfamiliar with the rules of city life, jaywalking today refers to crossing in the middle of a block, or outside the crosswalk. Look at it this way: You head toward the corner, but cut into the street halfway there, cut a curving swath across the street, and end up on the opposite curb. You've traced a huge letter "J" on the pavement. It's like a car doing a U-turn -changing direction to go the other way, and leaving a huge imaginary "U" in the road. Either one is not only dangerous, but illegal in many areas. Sure, sometimes crossing in the middle of the block looks more like a / than a J, (or even a M when somebody can't make up their mind!) but whatever pattern you make, crossing outside the crosswalks is considered jaywalking.

Answer 5

The first man to get arrested for it was named J. Geils. He caused a serious horse & buggy accident in the early 1800's in a town near Chula Vista, Ca. He served a year in the San Diego County Jail, but was released and went on to have a large family,including a great-great-great-great grandson,his namesake,who sang the big hit,"Angel In the Centerfold", back in the 1980's.

Answer 6

Because you can walk in the shape of a J while doing so.

Answer 7

It is really spelled "jaywalking". At one time a "jay" was a slang name for anyone from the country who was unfamiliar with city ways.

Answer 8

Maybe, "Jesus don't walk accross that road or youl get killed". I don't know just a thought.