Product of the Day: Jig-a-loo
Jigga-who? Jigga-what?
I was in Home Depot for some wood when I stumbled across this delightful product.
If the reference is lost on you, then you might want to check the dictionary.
jig⋅a⋅boo
–noun, plural -boos. Slang: Disparaging and Offensive.
a black person.
Origin: 1905–10, AmericanismWord Origin & History
Insulting name for “a black person,” 1909, perhaps from jig, which had been applied insultingly to persons since the late 18th century, and ending from bugaboo.
After that, you might want to Google it, and find some delightful images and websites. Like this one.
I could conjecture so much further about the creators’ inspirations and intent. Perhaps the implication is that jig-a-loo is “greasy” – as in dirty, or “slippery”, as in criminal? Even I’ll admit that’s reaching, but you still have to wonder what goes through the minds of companies’ PR representatives when these kinds of things are approved. Do they run some sort of cost-benefit analysis and determine, perhaps, that most of the people who would take offense to this aren’t “likely” homeowners? I could go on forever.
Anyway, I don’t take this too seriously, because this kind of insensitivity is part and parcel of mainstream American society – especially the corporate sector. It’s just one of those things to make you frown, then make you shrug.
White people on the other hand, just laugh at the funny name, until they realize that jig-a-loo is one hell of a lubricant!
Jigaboo…lol, this reminds me of my grandmother when she would tell us to get an education so we don’t end up like a “jigaboo”.
“White people on the other hand, just laugh at the funny name…”
Back in like 6th grade or something, I used this word and the “white” kids I was talking to were like “what’s a jigaboo?!” and started laughing. Needless to say, I quickly changed the topic.