jaspers
Very LowInformal, Slang, Dated
Definition
Meaning
A chiefly British slang term for a state of extreme nervousness or fear, often appearing in the phrase 'give someone the jaspers'.
Can refer more broadly to a feeling of intense anxiety, the creeps, or the jitters. It is an informal, somewhat dated expression.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The word is typically used in the plural form ('the jaspers') and is often encountered in the construction 'to give (someone) the jaspers'. It conveys a sense of being spooked or unsettled.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is almost exclusively British/Irish slang. It is virtually unknown and unused in American English.
Connotations
In British usage, it carries a colloquial, slightly humorous or quaint connotation, suggesting it belongs to an older generation's slang.
Frequency
Extremely rare in contemporary British English and considered archaic by younger speakers.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] gave [Indirect Object] the jaspers.[Subject] has/get the jaspers.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Give someone the jaspers”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Not used.
Academic
Not used.
Everyday
Only in very informal, nostalgic British contexts among older speakers to describe feeling spooked.
Technical
Not used.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- That old, dark house gives me the jaspers.
- The way he stared without blinking gave her the absolute jaspers.
- Listening to the unexplained noises in the attic, I was overcome with the jaspers, a primal dread I hadn't felt since childhood.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a gardener named Jasper who is terrified of spiders. Every time he sees one, he gets 'the jaspers' and jumps. Jasper = jaspers (fear).
Conceptual Metaphor
FEAR IS A POSSESSION (something you 'get' or are 'given').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with the name 'Jasper' (Джаспер). The slang term is unrelated in meaning.
- Translating literally as 'яшмы' (the mineral) is a complete error. It is an idiom for fear.
Common Mistakes
- Using it in singular form ('a jasper').
- Using it in formal contexts.
- Assuming it is current, widely understood slang.
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is the slang term 'jaspers' (meaning fear) primarily found?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, there is no etymological connection. 'Jaspers' as slang for fear is of obscure origin, possibly from rhyming slang or a corruption of 'jazz' (as in 'jazzed up').
It is not recommended, as the term is not recognized in American English. Using it would likely cause confusion.
No, it is considered very dated and is rarely heard in modern conversation. It belongs to a older, perhaps mid-20th century, slang lexicon.
It functions as a plural noun, almost always used with the definite article 'the' (e.g., 'the jaspers').