jingo Meaning, Definition & Usage

Jin"go noun

Etymology

Said to be a corruption of St. Gingoulph.

Wordforms

plural Jingoes

Definitions

1. A word used as a jocular oath. "By the living jingo." Goldsmith.
2. A statesman who pursues, or who favors, aggressive, domineering policy in foreign affairs. Cant, Eng. ✍ This sense arose from a doggerel song which was popular during the Turco-Russian war of 1877 and 1878. The first two lines were as follows: --

   We don't want to fight, but by Jingo if we do, We 've got the ships, we 've got the men, we 've got the money too.