Job Discussion Forums

[Kurochan]

Here's a weird question -- I don't know if it really belongs here, or if it should go on the off-topic board.

I'm showing my students the film "Love Jones" tomorrow. I know they'll ask about the title, and I just want to be sure I explain it right. To me, to "jones" for something means to itch for something, but is that right? I looked it up, and it said a jones is an addiction to something. Is THAT right? I don't want to give the students a bum steer.

[Chairman Roberto]

Both your definitions are correct. It's really a matter of context. One could say "I'm jonesing for a cup of coffee", and it could mean they just really want a cup of coffee, or they are addicted to coffee. I speculate the slang originally emerged from the violent withdrawal from heroin, but now its meaning as been expanded to more innocuous yearnings. A stronger term I've heard bandied about is "fiending."

I've haven't seen the movie, but I my guess is that it means both.."yearning" and "addiction", an double entendre. Might be a good discussion for your class, if they're up for it. Is love addictive, or do we merely yearn for it?

Man, I'm jonesing for some Monterey Jack,

Roberto