Slang Beginning with J
In this lesson, we cover essential American slang starting with letter J with examples. In general, slang are used mostly in casual street talks among Americans such that even international (non-native) speakers living in the USA can not understand them. Thus, you may use slang in your daily casual conversations especially with Americans. Just be careful and do NOT use slang in formal conversations like job interviews or business meetings.
Slang Recap
In our previous lesson, we covered American Slang Beginning with I.
Word of the Day: J
jam: to play music with others.
Do you want to jam this weekend?
jammed / jammed up: stuck; immobile. (often used in the passive voice)
The photocopier got jammed up with paper and broke.
jam-packed: full of people; very crowded.
The train was so jam-packed with people it became a little hard to breathe.
java: coffee
This is a good, strong cup of java.
jaywalk: to cross the street illegally; to cross at a place that is not a crosswalk.
Tim got a ticket when he jaywalked right in front of a police officer.
jazzed: excited; interested in something.
Sue is really jazzed about going out with Ted this weekend.
jeez: wow! (used in place of “Jesus” which some take offense in when the name is used to express surprise, disgust, etc.)
Jeez! Did she get into another accident? That’s two in one week.
jerk: a difficult person; someone who goes out of his way to give you trouble–usually used with men.
This person we work with is such a jerk, no one wants to work with him.
jinx: to cause bad luck
If Rick hadn’t jinxed me, I would have bowled a lot better.
jitters: shaking from nervousness.
Harold gets the jitters if he goes a day without a drink.
jittery: feel uneasy or afraid.
An increase in robberies in our neighborhood is making everyone feel jittery.
jock: an athletic person; someone who is good at sports.
Ray tries to be a jock by joining every team possible, but he’s just not that good at sports.
Joe Six-Pack: a regular person who drinks beer.
Republicans used to rely on Joe Six-Pack for votes, but since they’ve ruined the economy, they’ve lost this once reliable voter.
Joe Schmo: similar to Joe Six-Pack, but without the beer. (pronounced jo shmo)
Any Joe Schmo can learn how to use a computer.
joint: 1. a marijuana cigarette; 2. a place to listen to music and drink beer.
1. The police caught Rudy with a couple of joints and took him to jail.
2. This was a good joint until they switched to country music.
juice: battery power.
You can use my cell phone if yours runs out of juice.
juiced up: drunk; high on alcohol.
The driver appeared to be juiced up, so the police gave him a breathalyzer test–which he failed–and so they arrested him.
jump: rob; to physically attack someone. (often passive)
An elderly couple got jumped in the park last night and all their money was stolen.
jump on: try to get something quickly.
Loyal customers usually jump on Apple products when they go on sale.
jump the gun: start something too quickly; do something before it’s time to begin.
A few people who jumped the gun in a fishing contest were disqualified.
junk: 1. something that is of bad quality; 2. stuff; anything.
1. Delia’s car is junk. She’s out looking for a new car.
2. Hey, can you move your junk off of this chair so I can sit down?
junk food: candy, chips, donuts, soda pop, etc. Food that comes packaged and is not nutritional.
Ever since Gladys gave up eating junk food, she’s lost over 30 pounds.
Next Slang Lesson
In our next lesson, we will cover American Slang Beginning with K.
Related Slang Lessons
None
English Slang Outline
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