jerky1

[jur-kee] /ˈdʒɜr ki/
adjective, jerkier, jerkiest.
1.
characterized by jerks or sudden starts; spasmodic.
2.
Slang. silly; foolish; stupid; ridiculous.
Origin
1855-60; jerk1 + -y1
Related forms
jerkily, adverb
jerkiness, noun

jerky2

[jur-kee] /ˈdʒɜr ki/
noun
1.
meat, especially beef, that has been cut in strips and preserved by drying in the sun; jerked meat.
Also, jerk.
Origin
1840-50, Americanism; alteration of charqui
Examples from the web for jerky
  • About all his reactions there is that jerky quickness which comes of long vigilance.
  • Quicker and the scene looks jerky, slower and the scene gets boring.
  • But always that jerky twitching, always that smacking of rodent lips.
  • Others get motion sickness from the jerky camera style.
  • Avoid rapid, jerky movements around insect hives or nests.
  • Its primary purpose is to fix all of those jerky, balky, miscalculated-momentum issues.
  • Sometimes the video is a bit jerky, but that is normally due to my connection.
  • Stir pounded jerky into fat, along with dried berries, if desired.
British Dictionary definitions for jerky

jerky1

/ˈdʒɜːkɪ/
adjective jerkier, jerkiest
1.
characterized by jerks; spasmodic
Derived Forms
jerkily, adverb
jerkiness, noun

jerky2

/ˈdʒɜːkɪ/
noun
1.
another word for jerk2 (sense 2)
Word Origin and History for jerky
n.

1850, American English, from American Spanish charqui "jerked meat," from Quechua (Inca) ch'arki "dried flesh."

adj.

"characterized by jerks," 1858, from jerk (v.1) + -y (2). Related: Jerkily; jerkiness.

Slang definitions & phrases for jerky

jerky

adjective

Having the traits of a jerk: any jerky Joe (1940s+)

Related Terms

herky-jerky