English
jab jab
Jab jab comes from French diable ‘devil’, and goes back to Middle French diable.
- Middle Frenchc. 1400–1600diable‘devil’
- Frenchc. 1600–presentsame form‘devil’
- Englishtodayjab jab
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history uncertain.
Lineage
- Middle Frenchc. 1400–1600diable‘devil’
- Frenchc. 1600–presentsame form‘devil’
- Englishtodayjab jab
Linked words
through Ancient Greek διάβολος ‘slanderous’
Today it means
noun A person dressed up as a devil-like character, in Caribbean carnivals, who carries a whip used for hitting other devils.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Middle French diable / jab jab