Can anyone tell me the origins of the word "gig", meaning musical performance?

Answer 1

The etymology has 2 choices.

1. gig (1)
"light carriage, small boat," 1790, perhaps, on notion of bouncing, from M.E. ghyg "spinning top" (in whyrlegyg, 1440), also "giddy girl" (giglet), from O.N. geiga "turn sideways," or Dan. gig "spinning top."

2. gig (2)
"job," first used by jazz musicians, attested from 1915 but said to have been in use c.1905; of uncertain origin.

So jazz musicians were using it--they came up with it from somewhere.

Gig can have a wide range of senses, including a fairly new one that refers to any short-term paying commission or job; it need not be associated with music or performance, but it does preclude permanent full-time employment.

Of course, there's another very likely possibility, that it comes from French gigue ‘a ball or dance’

from Middle French giguer ‘to dance’.

Jig (the verb) likely comes from the same source.

And since the origin of the blues is the south, Memphis and New Orleans--the french/cajun origin is very likely.

Answer 2

Origin of the use of the word is unknown but i think it might have first come into existence from "whirligig", meaning something that spins around (like a toy or a merry go round). Gig means a short spin for a musician in a club, etc.


god bless

Answer 3

from the hippies????