Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[mymike20926]

Dear teachers,

I learned the word, "jackass" in TV series and some PC games.
I know it is a offensive and impolite word.
And I've checked the wikipedia and some dictionaries for the word ,and find that it means the male donkey.


I want to know these following questions:
1. Why is it called "jack" instead of "John" or something else? Does it has some stories behind like "jackpot"?
2. Do people use the word in daily life or it just exist in a play? plz give a dialogue for example.
3. Finally, what the close words used much?

Thanks for your response!=)
by Mike

[pugachevV]

Jack is a term used for the male of various animals, especially a marlin (a type of game fish) or an a s s (donkey).
Jackass started off as two words and over time has become one.
Another meaning of jackass is, a stupid person.
It is used in daily life and is quite common in North America.

e.g. Bill was selling dope right in front of a cop. What a jackass!

[mymike20926]

Thanks for your information.
I got it.