jackass

v. to do something by brute force or by human power; to travel a circuitous route or itinerary. Subjects: English, Slang

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Citations: 1930 Ralph J. Fairbanks Touring Topics (June) “My 73 Years on Southwestern Deserts” no. 22, p. 24-25 @ Death Valley & the Amargosa (1986) Richard E. Lingenfelter p. 409: In 1916 I made the strike that I’d been jack-assing for thirty-five years trying to locate. *1938-39 R. Pecheur, machinist, 147 Grand St.; Fearing Lexicon of Trade Jargon “Machinists”: Jackass, jackassing—to move by manpower a tool ordinarily machine-powered. Manpower in general. 1939 Maddin Malone Los Angeles Times (June 25) “The Drummer Still Drums In Los Angeles” p. H19: Mr. Brooker is such a good drummer that he doesn’t have to go “jackassing.” “Jackassing” is the trade term for taking samples to customers instead of having the customers come to the hotel to see the samples. 1955 John Hart Carpenter (Sept.) “All about Francis” no. 75, p. 29-31 @ Calf’s Head & Union Tale (Oct. 1, 1996) Archie Green p. 134: Davis and Francis were jackassing the chute into place when in walks the architect 1993 Carol Higgins Clark Decked (Aug. 1) p. 6: Mrs. Watkin’s eyes grew heavy as Gavin helped her stagger to her penthouse. I’ve got some job, he though wistfully, jackassing people around the ship. 1999 Rob Kean The Pledge (Aug. 1) p. 544: He knew enough about killing to know that it should be carried out quickly and cleanly or not carried out at all, and that jackassing all over campus in search of his target was just plain foolish. 2003 William J. Veigele Sea Bag of Memories (May 15) p. 15: There was a time when everything you owned had to fit in your Sea Bag.…You warped your spine jackassing the goofy thing through a bus or train station. 2005 Linda Fairstein Entombed (Jan. 4) p. 276: We’ve been jackassing all over the place since we left Manhattan.

Posted 14 Jul 05 | Permalink | Tell a Friend