MovieChat Forums > Casino (1995) Discussion > Jag-Off a Chicago thing

Jag-Off a Chicago thing

posted 8 years ago by yesanything
5 replies | jump to latest

I learned this tonight 5-01-16 watching Anthony Bourdain's CNN show about Chicago.

I'm almost positive that "jagoff" is uniquely Chicago

I grew up in Chicago and just assumed "JAG OFF" was a universal thing,

But now I have a new found appreciation for when the Hitman (real life Frank Culotta, a Chicago Native) says to the Mormon *beep* "where you going jag-off?"

Edit: Further web research indicates the term is of Pittsburgh origin, but definitely a Chicago "Thing"

[–] Stevicus-2 8 years ago

It may have something to do with the local dialect that they say "jag off" instead of the more common "jack off." It's the same guttural consonant, except one is voiced and the other is not. Just like how Southerners might say "greazy" instead of "greasy."

[–] OtisDriftwood22 8 years ago

I'm from Pittsburgh, born and raised, and I can tell you with 100% certainty that "jagoff" originated in Pittsburgh.

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Pulp can move, baby!

[–] Pmdmnym 8 years ago

Us New Yawkers have sure borrowed it though!! LOL Btw, I love your sig!!! I am cracking up thinking of George Costanza!!! 😀

Wait! Wait! Where are you going? I was gonna make Espresso!

[–] club-shred 8 years ago

I'm from Pittsburgh, born and raised, and I can tell you with 100% certainty that "jagoff" originated in Pittsburgh.

Not originally from Pittsburgh but I have lived here for 20+ years. "Jagoff" is definitely a Pittsburgh thing. I loved Michael Keaton's use of it in Gung Ho and Night Shift... him being from Pittsburgh and all...

You'll work on... "We were making too much money".

[–] 8 years ago

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