Why do they call it "JAY" walking where did the word originate?

Question

Was the first guy to get a ticket named Jay or something

Answer 1

In the early 1900s, the word "jay" was slang in the U.S. for a hick, rube, or simpleton -- in other words, a person inexperienced in the ways of the bright lights in the big city. Wordsmiths believe the term "jaywalking" (or "J-walking") originated when cars were relatively new but gaining popularity in cities like Boston and New York. A jaywalker was a newcomer to the city, green to the ways of those modern traffic signals that told folks when they could safely cross the road.

Answer 2

2 Be Taken Seriously has it right. If two people have the same fault, say, late homework, then one person has no privilege to point out the error of the other. It's like one drunk saying that someone else has had too much to drink. The pot is blackened, as has the kettle. Sometimes, black is just the color of something. Yes, the word "black" can have negative connotations, but not always or even usually. Anyone can say "the question is not black and white" without sounding racist...or at least I hope so! So, no, it's not racist to use your grandpa's saying.

Answer 3

The term originated on the east coast; probably Boston in the early 1900s. The word jay meant someone who was not familiar with city ways. Another name used in that day was rube or country joe.

Answer 4

Jay used to be slang for a stupid or dull person. It's basically a compound word.

Answer 5

Why Is It Called Jaywalking

Answer 6

It used to be called "Gay" walking but that became politically incorrect.

Answer 7

Its just a term that used to be slang, and we adopted it and found a way to use it

Answer 8

Ask the brits its their saying originally.

Answer 9

i don't have your answer i just wanted to say that i was just wondering the same thing yesterday. thanks for asking.