Jet Origin and Related Words

Etymology of Jet

The word jet has several different definitions and origins. They are as follows:

1. noun: stream of water. From French jeter, used with a spout from which
   water or fuel comes. Also, as a verb, to push forth, or fling violently. Jet propulsion
   comes from this definition; jet engines were named such because they used jet propulsion.
2. verb: prance or strut. From French jeter, meaning “to thrust or throw,”
   from Latin iectare, which was used in place of iactare, which meant
   to toss about.
3. adjective: deep black. Comes from lignite, a mineral used for ornamentation.
   From Anglo-French geet or Old French jaiet; also comes from Latin
   gagates, and from Greek gagates lithos, which represented the location
   of this mineral.

Today, we most commonly use the word jet as a noun to describe an airplane. You
can also find “jet black” as a color for paints, clothing, dyes, and the like. Many
phrases derive from the word jet; several of them are listed below with accompanying
definitions.

Phrases stemming from jet

• jet lag: a sleep disorder due to the disruption of one’s circadian rhythm.
  This disorder results from teh time changes after long trips made on jet
  planes.
• jet black: describes a color similar to the minor gemstone “jet;” today it
  is used to mean as dark a shade of black as possible.
• jet aircraft (commonly, “jet”): an aircraft propelled by jet engines as opposed
  to simple propellers. The Boeing 747 in an example of a jet aircraft.
• jet fighter/fighter jet: an aircraft made exclusively for combat between
  aircrafts. These fighter jets are different than other aircrafts made for bombing
  or attacks on the ground.
• jetsam: part of a ship that is thrown overboard (aka jettisoned) to make
  the ship lighter in times of disaster, so as not to sink.
• jettison: to drop, or perhaps intentionally throw, something out of an aircraft.
• jet pack: (sometimes rocket belt or rocket pack) a device strapped on to
  a single individual to propel him/her through the air using jet propulsion, either
  fueled by the release of gases or water.