Where does the saying "I have a Jones" come from?

Question

I read a lot of American mags (such as Guitar world) and the term " I have a Jones for..." pops up quite a lot, as well as "I'm Jonesing". What exactly does this mean? and where does it originate from?

Answer 1

It's American slang meaning to have a desire for something. It originally referred to drug addiction but its meaning has expanded somewhat ever since.

Answer 2

I believe it originates from, "keeping up with the Joneses," an implied need to stay trendy. In the 80s, "I'm Jonesing" became slang for "I need..." and "I have a Jones" is the next logical step.

Answer 3

From the 1972 Billy Paul song "Me and Mrs Jones."

"I have a Jones" means I really, really like something or really, really want something

Here are the lyrics:

Me and Mrs Jones

Me and Mrs. Jones, we got a thing going on,
We both know that it's wrong
But it's much too strong to let it cool down now.

We meet every day at the same cafe,
Six-thirty I know she'll be there,
Holding hands, making all kinds of plans
While the jukebox plays our favorite song.

Me and Mrs., Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Jones,
Mrs. Jones got a thing going on,
We both know that it's wrong,
But it's much too strong to let it cool down now.

We gotta be extra careful
that we don't build our hopes too high
Cause she's got her own obligations and so do I.

Me, me and Mrs., Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Jones,
Mrs. Jones got a thing going on,
We both know that it's wrong,
But it's much too strong to let it cool down now.

Well, it's time for us to be leaving,
It hurts so much, it hurts so much inside,
Now she'll go her way and I'll go mine,
But tomorrow we'll meet the same place, the same time.

Me and Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Jones, Mrs. Jones.

Answer 4

The correct answer was listed above.

It's an addict's term for withdrawl cravings.

Answer 5

I thought it came from addicts.