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Jigger vs Ligger - What's the difference?

jigger | ligger |

In slang|lang=en terms the difference between jigger and ligger

is that jigger is (slang) an illegal distillery while ligger is (slang) a freeloader or hanger-on, especially in the music industry.

As nouns the difference between jigger and ligger

is that jigger is (us) a double-ended vessel, generally of stainless steel or other metal, one end of which typically measures 1 1/2 fluid ounces, the other typically 1 fluid ounce or jigger can be a sandflea, tunga penetrans , of the order siphonaptera; chigoe or jigger can be (slang|archaic) a prison; a jail cell while ligger is the horizontal timber of a scaffolding; a ledger or ligger can be (slang) a freeloader or hanger-on, especially in the music industry or ligger can be a baited line attached to a float, for night fishing.

As a verb jigger

is to alter or adjust, particularly in ways not originally intended or jigger can be (slang|obsolete) to imprison.

jigger

English

Etymology 1

Agent noun of the verb jig. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary suggests a possible link to (etyl) .

Noun

(en noun)
  • (US) A double-ended vessel, generally of stainless steel or other metal, one end of which typically measures 1 1/2 fluid ounces, the other typically 1 fluid ounce.
  • * 2000 , Robert B. Hess, drinkboy.com:
    • A good jigger will have a well formed lip that will pour a clean stream into the cocktail shaker or glass.
  • (US) A measure of 1 1/2 fluid ounces of liquor.
  • (mining) The sieve used in sorting or separating ore.
  • (mining) One who jigs; a miner who sorts or cleans ore by the process of jigging.
  • (pottery) A horizontal lathe used in producing flatware.
  • * 2004 , thepotteries.org, "Jiggering":
    • Hand jiggers consisted of two iron frames with a spindle in each - the driving spindle with its iron belt pulley approximately 20 inches in diameter and the driven spindle with a small wooden pulley.
  • (textiles) A device used in the dyeing of cloth.
  • A pendulum rolling machine for slicking or graining leather.
  • (golf, dated) A wooden or metal headed golf club used to play low flying shots to the putting green from short distances.
  • (nautical) A light tackle, consisting of a double and single block and the fall, used for various purposes, as to increase the purchase on a topsail sheet in hauling it home; the watch tackle.
  • (nautical) A jiggermast.
  • (nautical, New England) A small fishing vessel, rigged like a yawl.
  • (fishing) A device used by fishermen to set their nets under the ice of frozen lakes.
  • (archaic) One who dances jigs; an odd-looking person.
  • (New Zealand) A short board or plank inserted into tree for a person to stand on while cutting off higher branches.
  • (US) A placeholder name for any small mechanical device.
    • Synonyms
    * (pottery lathe) jolley * (nautical mast) jiggermast * (measure of liquor) pony * (placeholder name) thingamajig; doojigger

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To alter or adjust, particularly in ways not originally intended.
    • You'll have to jigger it from the original specifications to get it to work.
  • (pottery) To use a jigger.
    • Synonyms
    * (use a pottery jigger) jolley
    Derived terms
    * jiggerer * jiggered
    See also
    * fudge * tweak

    Etymology 2

    Likely a corruption of chigoe. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary suggests a possible derivation from (etyl) .

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A sandflea, Tunga penetrans , of the order Siphonaptera; chigoe.
  • A larva of any of several mites in the family ; chigger, harvest mite.

    • Etymology 3

    A slang term of unknown origin, originally meaning prison. Oxford English Dictionary suggests that its origin might be the same as , above.

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (slang, archaic) A prison; a jail cell.
  • (dialect, Scouse, dated) An alleyway separating the backs of two rows of houses.
  • (slang, euphemism) A penis.
  • (slang, euphemism) A vagina.
  • (slang) A door.
  • (slang) An illegal distillery.

    • Verb

    (en verb)
  • (slang, obsolete) To imprison.
  • * 1870 , J.T. Campion, "Billy in the Bowl", The Shamrock volume 8, page 107:
    • ...offering to swear an alibi'' for the prisoner [...] to ensure an acquittal. Terms: £50 for value received. No pay if ''jiggered .
  • (slang, archaic) To confound; to damn.
  • * 1831 , John Banim, The Smuggler page 231:
    • jigger me, but I think you be turning jest into earnest,
  • * 1887 , Frances Hodgson Burnett, Little Lord Fauntleroy page 173:
    • It had always been his habit to say, "I will'' be jiggered'''," but this time he said, "I ''am'' ' jiggered ."

    References

    * . * Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary , 10th Edition. Merriam-Webster, 1993. * English placeholder terms

    ligger

    English

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) . See (l).

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • The horizontal timber of a scaffolding; a ledger.
  • A nether millstone.

    • Etymology 2

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (slang) A freeloader or hanger-on, especially in the music industry.
  • * Peaches Geldof may be a top showbiz ligger – but now she’s got a group of her own.'' – "Peaches gets own band", ''The Sun , 29 Aug 2006
  • * The ligger caused a scene when he begged one reveller to find him some gear – and offered sexual favours in return.'' – "Wicked Whispers", ''The Mirror , 29 Jan 2005

    • Etymology 3

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A baited line attached to a float, for night fishing.
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