The phrase “getting jiggy with it” has been popular since the late 1990s, but if you’re not old enough to remember why, you’ve come to just the place…
Here, we’ll cover what it means and how it originated, as well as alternative words and phrases and how the phrase gets used. Let’s get straight down to it.
What does “getting jiggy with it” mean?
The phrase “getting jiggy with it” actually has two meanings. The PG version means dancing in an energetic or excited way. This is the most frequently used meaning.
As you may imagine, there’s also a non-PG version which refers to making out (and usually having sex). This is the less common meaning of the term.
What’s the origin of the phrase “getting jiggy with it”?
The precise origin of this phrase is not known, however we do know that similar versions of the phrase were in use in Philadelphia slang as far back as 1985.
That said however, the phrase wasn’t truly popularised until the release of the song Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It by the American TV, film, music star, and icon Will Smith in the year 1997. In the video for the hit, there are lots of people getting into the groove and dancing somewhat excitedly.
It is possibly for this reason that the phrase “getting jiggy with it” now has its two meanings. For example, the lyrics use phrases such as “Now honey honey come ride” and “Women used to tease me, Give it to me now nice and easy”.
How people use the phrase “getting jiggy with it” - featuring examples
Here’s some example whole sentence usage for you:
- Let’s go to the club and get jiggy with it
- Me and my girl are gonna get jiggy with it
- Can’t wait to get jiggy with it with Jake tonight
- Can’t wait to get to the club to get jiggy with it
What you can say in place of “getting jiggy with it”
There are several words and phrases that are similar or synonymous to “getting jiggy with it”. Here are some examples:
- Dancing
- Dancing like crazy
- Getting into the groove
- Getting one’s groove on
- Making shapes on the dance floor
- Letting loose
- Cutting loose
- Having fun
- Having sex/sexual intercourse
- Making out
- Horizontal tango
- Dancing between the sheets
- Doing it
- Doing the nasty.
- Making love
Final word
So, to sum up, the phrase “getting jiggy with it” has two main meanings. The first refers to getting into the groove and dancing enthusiastically, and the second, less common meaning refers to making out and having sexual relations with someone. The latter meaning transforms the phrase to an euphemism.
The precise origin of the phrase is not known, but we do know that people were using it in Philadelphia since at least 1985. The phrase was popularised through a song called Gettin’ Jiggy Wit It by the world famous American icon Will Smith in the year 1997.
