Quick Fixes on the Fly: Sailor Style or Messy Style

Quick Fixes on the Fly: Sailor Style or Messy Style

Jerry-rigged vs. Jury-rigged

Sometimes, we need to fix things quickly without the right tools. For this, people use the words “jerry-rigged” and “jury-rigged.” Let’s learn what these words mean and how they’re different!

History of the Words

Jury-rigged: This word started from the sea a long time ago. “Jury” comes from the old sailing time when sailors had to fix their ship fast using what they had. “Rigged” means fixing the sails and ropes to keep the ship going.

Jerry-rigged: This word is newer. It is a mix of “jury-rigged” and “jerry-built.” “Jerry-built” means building something poorly or cheaply. Both words describe something quickly fixed, but “jerry-rigged” became popular in the mid-1900s.

How to Use Them

Jury-rigged: Use this when something is fixed fast and in a temporary way.

• The sailor made a jury-rigged sail after the storm.
• We had to jury-rigged the tent since we forgot the poles.
• Tim jury-rigged the car’s door with a piece of string.
• The broken table was jury-rigged with a stack of books.
• The light fixture was jury-rigged with some wire and tape.

Jerry-rigged: Use this when something is fixed in a quick, not very good way, often mixing “jury-rigged” and “jerry-built.”

• The chair was jerry-rigged with some duct tape and nails.
• Sue jerry-rigged her old phone with some glue so it would work again.
• The robot toy was jerry-rigged using old batteries taped together.
• He jerry-rigged his computer with spare parts from the garage.
• The fence was jerry-rigged because we ran out of wood.

Trick to Remember the Difference

Think of “jury-rigged” as like a quick fix you’d do on a ship when you’re out at sea. Remember “jury” as if “in a hurry” for sailors.

Think of “jerry-rigged” as a mix of quick and poorly made; remember “jerry” sounds like “messy.”

Summary of Usage

Jury-rigged: Fixing something quickly, temporary, like sailors used to do. Think “hurry at sea.”

Jerry-rigged: Fixing something quickly and poorly, a mix of “jury-rigged” and “jerry-built.” Think “messy fix.”

Now, you know how to use these words! Both tell us about making something work, even if it’s not perfect. Next time you need to fix something fast, you’ll know what to call it!