Where does “jerkwater” come from?
jerkwater (English) comes from English jerk, from Middle English yerk, from Old English ġearc — active, quick; ready, active, quick.
jerkwater (English): A train on a branch line; A jerkwater town; Of an...
Definitions
- A train on a branch line; A jerkwater town; Of an...
Ancestry of “jerkwater”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | English | jerk | A sudden, often uncontrolled movement, especially... |
| 2 | Middle English | yerk | sudden motion |
| 3 | Old English | ġearc | active, quick; ready, active, quick |