Have you ever tried to patch something together just to get it working? Maybe you broke your mom’s favorite vase or trinket and patched it up with glue and tape? If so, these are great examples of being Jimmy-rigged. If you want to know more about this phrase, keep on reading. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.
Meaning
When something is Jimmy-rigged, it is essentially thrown together in a way that provides a temporary solution. The word means that it is a makeshift repair that has been completed out of whatever is on hand as opposed to a professional job or project. Handymen and inventors are often the ones who toss together repairs and create things out of whatever is available. Many people also use the term Jimmy-rigged when referring to a faulty or shoddy item that is most likely to fail or even break. Sayings like shoddy Jimmy-rigged construction or a Jimmy-rigged product imply that it is not functional or without value.
The term is often used in maritime transport, on both the high seas and in local boating. There is generally a limited amount of supplies in which to perform repairs. As such, tossing together a workable solution, or Jimmy-rigged solutions are commonly utilized. A quick repair job, one that often won’t last longer than the length of the trip is another meaning for the term Jimmy-rigged.
Example Usage
“Did you know that Lester Jimmy-rigged that hot water heater, it can combust at any time!”
“It is pretty dangerous to drive around with a Jimmy-rigged tire, especially when your kids are in the car”.
“My uncle is pretty handy, he once Jimmy-rigged an electrical box from the junkyard and got electricity to the outer barn”.
“Sometimes Jimmy-rigged contraptions work better than something put together by a professional”.
Origin
The phrase Jimmy-rigged is a modern adaptation of Jerry-built and Jury-rigged. Before we go further, let’s cover the differences in meaning. Jury-rigged is something that was assembled on the fly out of whatever materials were on hand. Jerry-built is something was is made out of cheap materials and constructed poorly. Jimmy-rigged can mean either/or depending on the context of the conversation.
Jury-rigged originated in the nautical world. The phrase was coined by sailors who often needed to make repairs while out at sea. As supplies were limited, repairs were made with whatever was on hand and intended to remain only until reaching port. The phrase popped up in the mid-to-late 18th century. Jerry-built appeared in the 19th century, though its exact origins are unknown. It was most often heard after WW1 & WW2
The phrase Jimmy-rigged is a more modern iteration, though it is not as widely used as the former 2. It popped up in the mid-1970s and is often used interchangeably with either of its former iterations.
Phrases Similar to Jimmy Rigged
- Patched together
- Jerry rigged
- Hobbled together
- Jury rigged
- Jerry rigged
- Fixed-up
Phrases Opposite to Jimmy Rigged
- Well built
- Properly constructed
- Streamlined
- Modern
- Properly assembled
- Solid
What is the Correct Saying?
- The proper way to say the phrase is – Jerry-rigged.
Ways People May Incorrectly Say Jimmy Rigged
Some ways that Jimmy Rigged is used incorrectly are:
- The Marine Corps is known for Jimmy-rigged contraptions that look just like the instructions.
- If you want to install something properly, it needs to be Jimmy-rigged.
- The only way to do something properly is through copious amounts of Jimmy-rigging.
Acceptable Ways to Phrase Jimmy Rigged
Some ways that Jimmy Rigged is used correctly are:
- A lot of people claim that the election was Jimmy-rigged, but the only thing Jimmy-rigged was the voting machines.
- There are some highly creative people in the world that have invented some life-changing machines that were essentially Jimmy-rigged out of spare parts.
- When I called in the repairman to check the HVAC system, he told me that the back-end items were just Jimmy-rigged in, not actually installed.
- Have you ever seen a Jimmy-rigged pacemaker? Of course, you haven’t, it would not actually work!