Jock Comes From the Name John
A jock is an athlete, in American usage. The word travelled a long way from a Scottish given name.
A jock is an athlete, particularly a student one, in American use. The route is unusual: *Jock* is the Scottish form of John, which became a generic name for an ordinary man, then gave *jockstrap*, an athletic support, and the garment's name was shortened back to *jock* for the person wearing it. A name became a thing and then a person again. A *disc jockey* is a separate use, from the sense of one who handles or rides something.
- An athlete (US). *A college jock.*
- An athletic support. *A jockstrap.*
- A disc jockey. *A radio jock.*
- John — the source name. *Jock.*
- Scottish — the name form. *Jock.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | jock | A jock. |
| Plural | jocks | Jocks. |
| Compound | jockstrap | A jockstrap. |
| Related | jockey | A jockey. |
| Source | John | John. |
- The jocks sat together.American.
- A disc jockey introduced it.Radio.
- Jock is Scottish for John.Etymology.
John in English words
- Jock — the Scottish form, then an athlete
- Jockey — a diminutive, then a rider
- Johnny — as in johnny-come-lately
- Jack — another form, giving dozens of compounds
- John Doe — the anonymous party in American law
From Jock, the Scottish form of the name John, used generically and then in *jockstrap*.
Where does jock come from?
From Jock, the Scottish form of John. It became a generic name, then part of jockstrap, and was shortened back for the wearer.
Is jockey related?
Yes. Jockey is a diminutive of the same name, which came to mean one who rides or handles something.