surname, literally "John's (child);" see John. Phrase keep up with the Joneses (1913, American English) is from the title of a comic strip by Arthur R. Momand. The slang sense "intense desire, addiction" (1968) probably arose from earlier use of Jones as a synonym for "heroin," presumably from the proper name, but the connection, if any, is obscure. Related: Jonesing.
jones (jōnz)
n.
Heroin.
An addiction, especially to heroin.
: She's jonesing for those diamond earrings
Related Terms[1960s+ Narcotics; origin unknown; perhaps an innocent code word used by addicts and dealers]
The penis: beat out time with their titties and their johnsons/ I've only got one Johnson, and he winks/ Enough is enough, turn my jones loose
Related Terms[1863+; origin unknown; such a use is recorded fr Canada in the mid-1800s, perhaps as a euphemism for the British euphemism John Thomas, ''penis'']