13 Comments

I grew up in Southern California and spent the first 30 years there and the next 19 in NM. I have never heard anyone in either of these places use the word jagoff. I was well acquainted with it as kid because I liked to watch a lot of stand up comedy in HBO.

Postcrossing is great! I started doing it in 2007. I've gotten so many interesting postcards.

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Julie - thanks for your response! So far based on a small sample size, jagoff seems to be limited to the East Coast (NYC, specifically), Pittsburgh (where it may have originated), and Chicago (I grew up in the 'burbs there).

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I took up journaling in college and also wrote each entry in alternating colors. I should probably pick it back up because, like you, it was where I did a lot of processing. I have so many blank journals because it was such a habit to pick them up. My Smart Ass & Sass Subscription box had one in it this month!

I think my car smells like a McFart too now that you mention it and put a name to it!! 🤣🤣🤣

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Kristin, I journal now to write about my days rather than process. But either way is valid! I find that because I type faster, I like to process emotions (and then delete). Just no desire to keep those thoughts, yk?

As for your car, just say you have a french fry air freshener!

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Not something folks from Arkansas say that often, if at all. I heard the word from national sources (stand-up and tv and movies). I don’t associate it with the phrase jack-off but I have heard it used in that sense. I associate it with someone that is annoying.

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I remember hearing it on a TV show set in NYC in the early aughts and was blown away, as I'd assumed it was a Chicago thing the whole time. Turns out it likely originated in Pittsburgh. More to come as my important and life-saving research continues!

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Also jag bag. Maybe also a Chicago thing. The local sports station used to have a segment called Jag Bag Thursdays.

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When we talked about this, you mentioned it was sometime in the mid- to late-'90s, correct?

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That was in the late 90s

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Fascinating about the bridge!!! As MN resident, I have passed beneath that bridge many times and wondered the same thing... I've not seen a single person on it any of the times I've passed by. I love that someone took the time to figure out all the details about it and now I know. Thanks for sharing!

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It's just one of the best things I've encountered on the internet.

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My connection to the word jagoff is you (and the other CHSH-ers). 😄 It wasn’t really in the lexicon in CT or CO.

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I distinctly remember telling Cary I wanted to bring back the word jagoff in the early days of Twitter. This means I succeeded in some small measure. Also helpful to know it wasn't in the lexicon in places you've lived.

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