jam
The origin and history of jam.
Etymology
First recorded in the early 1700s as a verb meaning "to press or wedge in," likely echoing the sound and action of squeezing something into a tight spot; the "improvised music" sense grew out of jazz slang from the 1920s.
Class of 1700
jam first entered the language around 1700. Other words from the same year:
See the full Class of 1700 →