What The Jamaican Word "Weddy" ("Weh Di") REALLY Means

L Roach, May 28, 2006

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Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision: title change 

This pancocojams post showcases a YouTube video of the January 1, 2005 hit dancehall song "Weh Di Time" by Bogle featuring Delly Ranks & Voicemail.

The lyrics to this song are included in this post along with some notes about various words that are part of those lyrics.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, linguistics, and entertainment purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Bogle for his cultural legacy. Thanks also to Delly Ranks & Voicemail for their music and thanks to all those who are quoted in this post. Thanks also to the publisher of this video on YouTube.
-snip-
This song is also featured in this pancocojams post http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/02/what-jiggy-means-where-that-word-really.html  "What "Jiggy" Means & Where That Word REALLY Came From".

That post focuses on the term "jiggy", but also includes some information about the word "weddy" . That informationabout "weddy" is quoted in this Oct 2020 pancocojams post.

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LYRICS: WEH DI TIME
[composer/s Bogle, Delly Ranks, and Voicemail]  

[Intro: Bogle a.k.a. Mr. Wacky]

A LIE
Mr. Wacky this keepin' it jiggy with Delly and Voice Mail
Dem fi know that Boyzie
Eeeeeeeh? A lie!
Dem seh wow but a we but we tell dem
Don't ask somebody, ask everybody
Don't spill yuh guts, spill it out
Eeeeeeh?
We don't tek press...we judge we own concept

[Chorus: Voicemail]

It's a Jiggy time again
Jiggy Jiggy Jiggy Jiggy
A Jiggy time again
Aaaaaa lie
It's a weddy time again
Weddy weddy weddy weddy
A Weddy time again

[Verse 1: VoiceMail]
Bus di place, bus di place
Everybody unnu jus bus di place
Aaaright
Bus di place, bus di place
Follow Mr. Wacky and jus bus di place
Summer bounce, summer bounce
Follow Bwoyzie and do di summer bounce
Walk wid di bounce, walk wid di bounce
Follow Bogle and walk wid di bounce
Walk wid di bounce, walk wid di bounce
Watch Bwoyzie a walk wid di bounce

[Verse 2: Delly Ranks]

Dem a fan dem a off and a box dem off
Dem a telephone we a fax dem off
Dem a call dung di rain pon di gal dem
Dem a lightening and thunder di gal dem
Get Jiggy gal, get jiggy gal, get Jiggy gal, get Jiggy gal
Weddy weddy weddy weddy weddy weddy gal
Mi ready when you ready when you ready when you ready gal
Weddy weddy weddy weddy weddy weddy gal
Mi ready when you ready when you ready when you ready gal

 [Repeat Chorus]

 [Verse 3: Bogle]
After I tell dem don't spill dem guts, spell it
I give dem the place to run an dem can't run it
Hear dis, Heh Bogle, a lie, Eeeeeeh a lie
Afta mi tell dem seh a the best a dem
Dem mek mi affi tell dem seh a the worse a dem deh
All dem deh a weh all dem deh did deh, Eeeeeeh
Don't spill you guts spell it out, a lie
One ting wid we, we don't tek press
We judge we own concept
Afta I seh I gwaan kill dem softly
Right now dem mek mi affi flap dem back oh so badly
Eeeeeeh, a lie
A Missa Wacky dis keepin' it jiggy

 [Verse 4: VoiceMail]
Alright
Shankle dip, Shankle dip
Everybody watch Ice shankle dip
Shankle dip Shankle dip
Falla Missa Wacky and do shankle dip
Alright!
Walk wid di dip, walk wid di dip
Walk wid di dip
Everybody unnu walk wid dip
Walk wid di dip walk wid di dip
Falla Bogle walk wid di dip

[Verse 5: Delly Ranks]
Alright!
New style, new style
Style a style, and a style can't spoil
New style, new style
Watch Craigy dread him a do di new style

[Verse 6: Voicemail]
Alright!
Badda dabce badda dance
Falla Ding Dong do di badda dance
Badda dance badda dance
Missa Wacky him a do di badda dance

Missa Wacky him a do di badda dance
Inna you face Inna you face
Falla Bwoyzie and buss di place
Inna you face Inna you face
Watch Ice how him a done di place

[Repeat Chorus: (2x)]

online source:  https://genius.com/Voice-mail-weh-di-time-lyrics

Here's other information from that website:
"Song- Weh Di Time

artists -Voice mail Featuring Delly Ranx & Bogle

Release Date: January 1, 2005

Album: Ragga Ragga Ragga 2005"
-snip-
Note that "Mr Wacky" is another stage name for Bogle (Gerald Levy, born August 22, 1964 – died January 20,  2005).  

Here's some information about this Jamaican dance icon
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bogle_(dancer) 
"Bogle (22 August 1964 – 20 January 2005), born Gerald Levy, and also known as Bogle Dancer, Mr Bogle, Father Bogle, and Mr Wacky, was a Jamaican dancehall star, dancer and choreographer. Beenie Man called Bogle "the greatest dancer of all time"[1] and he is recognised as "part of the foundation and as an icon inside of dancehall culture."[2] Bogle created more dancehall moves than any other figure, he is best known for creating the Bogle dance which is named after him.[3] His stage name, Bogle, is a reference to Paul Bogle a National Hero of Jamaica."
-snip-
Here's information about Paul Bogle 
From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Bogle
"Paul Bogle (1820 – 24 October 1865)[2] was a Jamaican Baptist deacon and activist. He is a National Hero of Jamaica. He was a leader of the 1865 Morant Bay protesters, who marched for justice and fair treatment for all the people in Jamaica. After leading the Morant Bay rebellion, Bogle was captured by government troops, tried and convicted by British authorities under martial law, and hanged on 24 October 1865 in the Morant Bay court house.[3]"...

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COMMENTARY ABOUT THE SONG "WEH DI TIME"
Read the lyrics that are given above for the hook for the song "Weh Di Time".
The hook basically is saying that those who think they know anything about (Jamaican dancehall dancer Bogle) are lying (about what they know). Furthermore, (the hook states), it's weh di time (it's time) for Bogle and his crew to speak for themselves and judge themselves, rather than accepting what other people's statements about and judgements of themselves.

The verses to this song also continue this position and exhorts people to get "jiggy" (to really party; "to get crunk"). I believe that most if not all of the dances that are mentioned by name in these verses are dances that Bogle (Mr. Wacky) created.

"Get jiggy" means "(to) party", and especially "to party hardy". "To party" and "to party hardy" have the African American Vernacular English meaning "to really party, to enjoy yourselve dancing and socializing at a house party, (night) club, and/or at another social gathering or social event."

The word "crunk" was created from combining the words "crazy" and "drunk", and means taking partying to a new and wild level.

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WHAT "WEDDY" MEANS IN THE SONG "WEH DI TIME"
The word "weddy" in the Dancehall song "Weh Di Time" is meant to remind people of (or to evoke) the similarly pronounced English word "ready". However, "weddy" doesn't have the same meaning as "ready".  

I believe that the word "weddy" in this song is another way of writing "weh di" (i.e. the song's title "Weh Di Time" ("Where is the time".) Furthermore, I believe that "Where is the time" actually means "Now is the time". Notice that there is no question mark in the title "Weh Di Time". 

"Weddy weddy" is the name of a Jamaican Dancehall dance. I haven't found any online documentation of that dance before the "Weh Di Time" record. The "weddy weddy" dance may have been created because of that term's inclusion in this song and subsequently became an signal and evocation for people to do that dance. 

"Weddy Weddy" (also known as "Weddy Weddy Wednesdays") are Jamaican entertainment events which provide a platform for Dancehall performers to showcase their songs and Dancehall fans to "get their dance on".  My guess is that the name "Weddy Weddy" was given to that event because of Bogle, Delly Ranks, and Voicemail's hit song "Weh Di Time". Here's some information about "Weddy Weddy" [events] from http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/weddy-weddy-comes-of-age_171240?profile=1120  "Weddy Weddy Comes Of Age" 
By Howard Campbell, Wednesday, July 31, 2019   
"Considered by some dancehall pundits as the genre's godfather, Winston “Wee Pow” Powell celebrates another milestone this evening with 15 years of Weddy Weddy, the weekly dance that has helped expose upcoming artistes and sound system selectors.

The event takes place at Stone Love headquarters, Burlington Avenue in Kingston, where Weddy Weddy's first songs were played in 2005."...
-snip-
Because of government restrictions due to Covid-19, "Weddy Weddy Wednesdays" events were moved to Thursday. 
From http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20200813/mckenzie-drops-hammer-entertainment-weddy-uptown-mondays-pick-new "McKenzie Drops The Hammer On Entertainment - Weddy, Uptown Mondays Pick New Days"
by Yasmine Peru, August 13, 2020, 
..."At least two promoters of weekly dances, whose events have been sidelined by the recently announced guidelines, are now preparing to shift into a new gear and make the best of the situation. Winston ‘Wee Pow’ Powell, promoter of the 16-year staple on the weekly calendar, Weddy Weddy Wednesdays, and Whitfield ‘Witty’ Henry of uber popular start-of-the-week party, Uptown Mondays, say they have no choice but to choose another day - Thursdays for Weddy Wednesdays and Fridays for Uptown Mondays. Both events are caught in the net of Mondays to Wednesdays, the days when entertainment activities cannot be staged. Powell and Henry told The Gleaner that their events are fully compliant.

 “Bwoy, this is rough, but we have to survive. We did everything according to the book, and followed all the protocols, but now we are the ones who are being made to suffer. I know that there are other promoters who have their event on a Thursday and I really don’t want to run in on their day. But at this point I don’t have much of a choice,” Powell shared with The Gleaner. “As soon as the new rules come into effect, the Weddy Weddy Wednesday will be staged on a Thursday, same place at Stone Love HQ.”...

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Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=emT6teS9S6o&ab_channel=danceja for a 2014 YouTube video that shows Jamaican dancer LaTonya Styles demonstrating how to do the 
weddy weddy dance and twenty-one other Dancehall dance steps that were created by Bogle (aka Mr. Wackie). 

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Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

"Gettin Jiggy Wit It", "Keeping It Jiggy", And Two Other Videos Of Songs The Include The Word "Jiggy"

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision: November 16, 2023

This is Part II of a two part series on the word "jiggy" and the phrases "gettin jiggy wit (with) it", "keepin it jiggy", and "its a jiggy time."

Part II features Will Smith's Hip Hop video "Gettin Jiggy Wit It" as well as two videos and one sound file of Dancehall records that include the word "jiggy" in their lyrics. Those records are Voicemail featuring Bogle and Delly Rank's "Weh Di Time" (also known as "Jiggy Time"), Sean Paul's "Get Busy", and Elephant Man's "Keeping It Jiggy".

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/02/what-jiggy-means-where-that-word-really.html for Part I of this series.

Part I provides information and comments about the meanings and sources of the word "jiggy" and those phrases mentioned above. This post also includes my interpretation of certain slang words that are found in lyrics to selected songs that include those words and phrases. My interpretation of selected blogger comments are also included in this post.

The content of this post is presented for cultural, entertainment, and aesthetic purposes.

Thanks to all those who are featured in these videos. Thanks to the producers of these videos and the publishers of these videos on YouTube. Also, thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

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ONE DEFINITION OF "JIGGY" "Jiggy" is an adjective that was coined by African Americans probably in the late 20th century. As is the case with other slang words, "jiggy" has multiple meanings. Here's one definition of that term:
From Don Malvo, http://forum.dancehallreggae.com/archive/index.php/t-59720.html, 08-20-2005
"Jiggy - originally black American urban slang, made popular in mainstream American culture by actor/rapper Will Smith and co-opted by Elephant Man, has since become passe in the African-American community in which it originated; used varyingly to refer to 'having a good time'....
or a blanket descriptive term for the colourful, dance-oriented style of dancehall reggae currently in vogue, epitomized by artists Elephant Man and Voise Mail (and a few tracks by Beenie [m]an."
-snip-
Warning: Some of the comments in that discussion contain Jamaican English profanity and American English profanity.

Other definitions for "jiggy" and for some phrases that contain that word are found in Part I of this series.

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FEATURED EXAMPLES
These examples are presented in chronological order based on the years that the songs were recorded.

Notice that the use of the word "jiggy" by Jamaican Dancehall artists demonstrates those songs include both Jamaican slang and African American slang.

Example #1: Will Smith - Gettin' Jiggy Wit It



WillSmithVEVO, Uploaded on Mar 23, 2011

Music video by Will Smith performing Gettin' Jiggy Wit It. (C) 1997 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
-snip-
Here's an excerpt from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gettin%27_Jiggy_wit_It :
""Gettin' Jiggy wit It" is a single by American actor and rapper Will Smith, released as the third cut from his debut solo album Big Willie Style (1997). The verse is based around a sample of "He's the Greatest Dancer" by Sister Sledge, and the chorus is sampled from "Sang and Dance" by the Bar-Kays. Released in January 1998, the song was Smith's second hit produced by Poke & Tone and L.E.S., who replaced his long-time partner Jazzy Jeff, though the record-scratching techniques of Jazzy Jeff can be heard in the song.[1]

The song spent three weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart from March 14, 1998. It also won a Grammy Award in 1999 for the Best Rap Solo Performance. It was ranked the 68th greatest song of the 1990s by VH1. However, it was ranked at number 19 on the list of AOL Radio's 100 Worst Songs Ever in 2010.[2] The song was included in Pitchfork Media's 2010 list of "the seven worst U.S. No. 1 singles of the 90s".[3]

Composition

The song samples the 1979 Sister Sledge song "He's the Greatest Dancer". The "mama-uh, mama-uh, mama come closer" line is a reference to the song "Soul Makossa" by Manu Dibango, specifically the version adapted by Michael Jackson in "Wanna Be Startin' Somethin'"'s final bridge. The connotations associated with the expression getting jiggy were heavily influenced by this single. The term went from being used to acclaim one's fashion or style towards being synonymous with dancing, and eventually back to the original association with sexual connotations.[4]

Smith has attested in an interview[5] that his inspiration to alter the meaning for the purpose of the song came from his association of the term "jiggy" with "jigaboo", a derogatory term for African-Americans, which made the literal meaning of the title "getting African-American with it" and which was meant to reference the popular folk-myth of an innate sense of rhythm in black folks. The co-opting of a once offensive word also was racially empowering.[5] "...

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Example #2: Bogle ft Delly Ranks & Voicemail - Weh Di Time



L Roach, uploaded on May 28, 2006
-snip-
This record was released in 2004.

This song is often given as "Weddy Time" and "Jiggy Time"

"Weh Di Time" is the older form of "Weddy Time".

There was some disagreement about the meaning of "Weh Di Time" ("Weddy Time") on http://forum.dancehallreggae.com/archive/index.php/t-59720.html, a Jamaican discussion thread about slang terms found in Dancehall music. Most of the bloggers participating in that online discussion believed that "weddy time" meant "ready time". However, two bloggers firmly believed that it meant "what the [f word] is going on", similarly to that sentence in American English. By the end of that post, the bloggers agreed that the Dancehall artists recording this song had changed the meaning to "ready time" (and "weddy weddy" to "ready ready") and that meaning is the one which most people knew.

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Example #3: Sean Paul - Get Busy



Maja Martin, Uploaded on Aug 2, 2008

Sean Paul performing Get Busy - Official Music Video
-snip-
This record, also colloquially known as "Shake That Thing Miss Annabella", was released in 2003..

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Example #4: Elephant Man- Jiggy [sound file]



guiltysquad, Uploaded on Aug 12, 2008

-snip-
Click https://genius.com/Elephant-man-jiggy-lyrics for the full lyrics to that song.

Here's the lyrics for that song's hook from https://genius.com/Elephant-man-jiggy-lyrics 

[Hook]
What a Weddi, Weddi, Weddi, Weddi (March out! March out!)
Weddi, Weddi, Weddi, Weddi
Weddi, Weddi, Weddi, Weddi (March out! March out!)
Weddi, Weddi, Weddi
A Weddi, Weddi, Weddi, Weddi (March out! March out!)
Weddi, Weddi, Weddi, Weddi
Weddi, Weddi, Weddi, Weddi (Dancers, march out!)
Weddi, Weddi, Weddi
A Weddi, Weddi, Weddi, Weddi (Look outta road! Look outta road!)
Weddi, Weddi, Weddi, Weddi
Weddi, Weddi, Weddi, Weddi (Look outta road! Look outta road!)
Weddi, Weddi, Weddi
A Weddi, Weddi, Weddi, Weddi (High Risen Bump! High Risen Bump!)
Weddi, Weddi, Weddi, Weddi
Weddi, Weddi, Weddi, Weddi (High risen bump! High risen bump!)
Weddi, Weddi, Weddi"
-snip-
Elephant Man's song "Jiggy" is part a command for people to do certain dances, or to dance in general, and a shout out/dissing of certain people. For examples of shout out and disses in that song, check out these lyrics:
..."Dance we a dance and keeping it jiggy

Big up the legendary Bob! Wha' happen to him son, Ziggy?
Dance we a dance and keeping it jiggy
Nadine Sutherland, send her go call Twiggy
Dance she a dance and keeping it jiggy
Bubbler a do it, and favor Ms. Piggy
Dance she a dance and keeping it jiggy
Outta Asylum me see Bogle and Ribby
Dance dem a dance and keeping it jiggy
Don can't do it, not even mention Diggy
Dance dem a dance and keeping it jiggy
Mad Michelle, Stacy, none of dem anuh dibby dibby (No!)
Dance dem a dance and keeping it jiggy
Give dem a slide tackle like Whitmore and Bibby
Dance we a dance and keeping it jiggy
Big up Jungle, Tivoli, Ensome City
Dance we a dance and keeping it jiggy"...

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This concludes Part II of this series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

What "Jiggy" Means & Where That Word REALLY Came From

Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision: November 16, 2023

This is Part I of a two part series on the word "jiggy" and on the phrases "gettin jiggy wit (with) it", "keepin it jiggy", and "its a jiggy time."

Part I provides information and comments about the meanings and sources of the word "jiggy" and those phrases mentioned above. This post also includes my interpretation of certain slang words that are found in lyrics to selected songs hat include those words and phrases. My interpretation of selected blogger comments are also included in this post.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/02/gettin-jiggy-wit-it-keeping-it-jiggy.html for Part II of this post.

Part II features Will Smith's 1997 Hip Hop video "Gettin Jiggy Wit It" as well as two videos and one sound file of Dancehall records that include the word "jiggy" in their lyrics. Those records are Voicemail featuring Bogle, and Delly Ranks' "Weh Di Time" (also known as "Jiggy Time"), Sean Paul's "Get Busy", and Elephant Man's "Keeping It Jiggy".

The content of this post is presented for etymology and cultural purposes.

Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post.

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DEFINITIONS OF "JIGGY" AND CERTAIN PHRASES THAT INCLUDE THAT WORD [REVISED October 19, 2020]

"Jiggy" is an adjective that was coined by African Americans in the late 20th century. As is the case with other slang words, "jiggy" has multiple meanings. 

Here are three entries for the word "jiggy" from http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=jiggy, 

These entries are given in no particular order, and are numbered for referencing purposes only.

1. "jiggy " 

A played out slang term from the mid to late 90's meaning getting loose or dressing fly that was used by New Yorkers(mainly Harlem cats) before Will Smith came out with "Getting Jiggy with it".

Yo duke looking Jiggy tonight with the Phat Farm sweater and the Jewalzz...

or

Damn you was getting Jiggy on the dance floor last night.

by Olskoolrule  May 26, 2004"
-snip-
-Will Smith's Rap record "Gettin Jiggy Wit It" was recorded in 1996 and released in Jan 1997. (More comments about Will Smith and the word "jiggy" are found below.)

Here are my explanations for the slang in that entry:
-"Played out" = something that is no longer used.

-"Harlem cats" = Men in Harlem (a section of New York City, New York, USA)

-"dressing fly" = wearing clothes in the latest [African American] urban styles. [Note that the adjective "fly" is a compliment.]

-"getting jiggy on the dance floor" is the same as "getting loose" = enjoy yourself without regard to any inhibitions, for example, females dancing in sexually provocative ways

-"yo duke" = Hey, [that] man

-"Phat Farm" = a [formerly] popular brand of African American urban clothing

-"Jewalzz" = jewels

**
2. jiggy [means]
1) down with
2) having sex or messing around with
3) exclamation that means "Sweet!" or "Tiiiiiight!"
4) all right

1) "Gettin' jiggy wit it...na na na na na na na!"
or "Yeah, I'm jiggy wit that."
2) "I got jiggy wit your mom last night."
3) "Gator boots with the pimped-out Gucci suit." "JIGGY!"
4) "You aiight? Everything jiggy over here?"

by Nick D , February 25, 2003
-snip-
"down with" = agree with; being into" something or someone [accept, support]

**
3. "jiggy= adjective to describe having a good time..."
- jamdowntnt, 08-20-2005

**

Here's an excerpt from http://forum.dancehallreggae.com/archive/index.php/t-59720.html  Warning- Some of the comments in that discussion contain Jamaican English profanity and American English profanity.

"Jiggy - originally black American urban slang, made popular in mainstream American culture by actor/rapper Will Smith and co-opted by Elephant Man, has since become passe in the African-American community in which it originated; used varyingly to refer to 'having a good time' (as jamdowntnt put it) or a blanket descriptive term for the colourful, dance-oriented style of dancehall reggae currently in vogue, epitomized by artists Elephant Man and Voise Mail (and a few tracks by Beenie [m]an."
Don Malvo, , 08-20-2005
-snip-
Added Oct. 19, 2020
I'm sorry that I didn't quote additional excerpts from that dancehallreggae.com website or its entire article because it  appears that that website is no longer active. That entire discussion thread was interesting because it documented how the meanings of Jamaican slang meanings might change over a period of time.

All the Jamaican bloggers who were quoted in that discussion agreed about the meaning of the word "jiggy". However, there was some disagreement about other words such as "weddy" and "passa passa". By the end of that discussion thread some of the bloggers recognized that at least part of the disagreement was because the meanings of some slang words had changed over time. 

The two other important points that I got from that discussion thread were that
1. like most slang throughout the world- most Jamaican slang words and phrases have a short life
and
2.  in those bloggers' opinions, Dancehall artists often make up words and phrases or give previously existing words and phrases new meanings as a means of increasing their records' sales. 
-snip-

(Added Oct. 19, 2020)

"Weddy weddy" and "passa passa" are names for two different types of Dancehall dance movements.
-snip-
Weddy Weddy probably came from the phrase "Weh di" that means "where the" in Jamaica patois:
https://jamaicanpatwah.com/term/Weh-di-restaurant-deh/3727#.X46kjNBKi1s
"Weh di restaurant deh

English translation "where is the restaurant?" "

**
Here's a 2019 Jamaican Observer article that includes the terms "weddy weddy" and "passa passa"
From http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/weddy-weddy-comes-of-age_171240?profile "Weddy Weddy comes of age"
by Howard Campbell, July 31, 2019

"Considered by some dancehall pundits as the genre's godfather, Winston “Wee Pow” Powell celebrates another milestone this evening with 15 years of Weddy Weddy, the weekly dance that has helped expose upcoming artistes and sound system selectors.

The event takes place at Stone Love headquarters, Burlington Avenue in Kingston, where Weddy Weddy's first songs were played in 2005.

“It's a significant event, it shows di world dat Stone Love is still current an' keeping acquainted with what's going on. Most of all, wi giving di people good, clean music,” Powell told the Jamaica Observer yesterday.

Powell and deejay Elephant Man, whose office was on the Stone Love compound, are conceptualisers of Weddy Weddy. Powell said Passa Passa, a West Kingston dance which started in 2003, was the main motivation for him launching the uptown version of that event.

He believes Weddy Weddy's greatest achievement has been breaking songs from emerging artistes, which was one of the objectives of early sound systems.

“Wi give di younger artistes a chance to play an' hear their songs, which they couldn't get on radio. They can play an' hear dem song same time,” Powell stated.

The best known beneficiary of this real time 'bus' is Mavado, who was one of the first artistes to make a mark at Weddy Weddy. Selectors such as Richie Feelings and Boom Boom also got their break there."
-snip-
Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2015/02/gettin-jiggy-wit-it-keeping-it-jiggy.html . (Part II of this pancocojams series, for more information/comments about the word "weddy".

by Taboola

Sponsored Links

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WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF THE WORD "JIGGY"?
Theory #1:
The word "jiggy" in the saying "Gettin' jiggy with (wit) it" and "Keepin it jiggy" comes from the word "jig" (with the etymology of "jig" from the French word "gige", "gigue").
Early definitions for "jiggy"
From http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/jiggier
"Jiggy
adjective jiggier, jiggiest
1. nervous, active, excitedly energetic
2. wonderful and exciting, because stylish

1930-35, Americanism; origin uncertain, perhaps jig2 or jig(gle) + -y2"

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Later definition for "jiggy"
From http://www.thefreedictionary.com/jiggy
adj. jig·gi·er, jig·gi·est Slang
1. Moving excitedly, especially when dancing: getting jiggy on the dance floor.

2. Engaged in sexual intercourse: The couple went upstairs to get jiggy.

3. Affiliated or identified: politicians trying to get jiggy with younger voters.

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Theory #2:
The second theory is that the word "jiggy" in the sayings "Get jiggy wit it." ahd "Keepin it jiggy". comes from the word "jigaboo". That theory comes from Will Smith, the composer and performer of the 1997 Hip-Hop/Pop record "Get Jiggy Wit It" :
From thttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gettin'_Jiggy_wit_It

"The connotations associated with the expression getting jiggy were heavily influenced by [Will Smith's single "Get Jiggy Wit It".] The term went from being used to acclaim one's fashion or style towards being synonymous with dancing, and eventually back to the original association with sexual connotations [3].

[Will] Smith has attested in an interview[4] that his inspiration to alter the meaning for the purpose of the song came from his association of the term "jiggy" with "jigaboo", a derogatory term for African-Americans, which made the literal meaning of the title "getting African-American with it" and which was meant to reference the popular folk-myth of an innate sense of rhythm in black folks. The co-opting of a once offensive word also was racially empowering."[4]
-snip-
citation 3: jiggy. (n.d.)". Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1). Retrieved 2007-04-26.
citation 4: Joyner, Michael (1998). "Gettin' Jiggy Wit Will Smith". Feature 4 (9): 7.
-snip-
In spite of actor/rapper Will Smith's statement that he created the word "jiggy" from the racial slur "jigaboo", I'm very skeptical of the theory that "jiggy" (as used in Smith's record and the later Jamaican "Jiggy" songs  came from the word "jigaboo". 

Information about the word "Jigaboo" is found later in this pancocojams post. 
-snip-
Added March 23, 20220 - Read the March 23, 2022 comment written below by CriticalThinker which 

about an Australian language phrase "jigy jigy". Thanks CriticalThinker for sharing that information!
 

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UPDATE: THE USE OF THE WORD "JIGGY" IN A HIP HOP SONG  A 1996 use of the word "jiggy" by LBB
Here are two comments from this pancocojams post's discussion thread that were added by LBB on Dec. 9, 2019. Thanks for these comments, LBB!

LBB, December 9, 2019 at 10:06 AM

NY rapper Shabazz The Disciple begins his song "Crime Saga" with the words "Shorty was into being jiggy". In this contezt it seems to mean a person who 'plays the game' and acquires money by any means, drugs, pimping etc."

***
LBB, December 9, 2019 at 10:10 AM
"Also that song was recorded in '96 which is before the big Will Smith track."
-snip-

WARNING:  This Hip Hop track contains profanity and explicit lyrics.

Note that this track was released in 1995 https://www.discogs.com/Shabazz-The-Disciple-Crime-Saga-Death-Be-The-Penalty-The-Sequel/release/310495
"Shabazz The Disciple ‎– Crime Saga (Death Be The Penalty - The Sequel)

Label:: Penalty Recordings ‎– PRV-0163

Format: Vinyl, 12", 33 ⅓ RPM

Country: US

Released: 1995"
-end of quote-

This excerpt from the summary for a video of this track https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV2_A2pzHRo&ab_channel=ShabazztheDisciple-Topic indicates that "Shabbazz The Disciple left his mark on the Gravediggaz's "Diary Of A Madman." 1995's underground street anthem "Crime Saga" is by far Shabazz's most known solo record to date. The video is directed by The Gza." 
-end of quote-

Will Smith's "Getting Jiggy" song was recorded in 1996 and released in 1997. Shabazz The Disciple's  earlier use of  the word "jiggy" suggests that that word was part of street vernacular in New York City, if not elsewhere in the United States.  

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SUGGESTED SYNONYMS FOR "GETTIN JIGGY WITH IT"

"Get jiggy wit it" = Get hype!, Get busy!, "Get down!" "Work out! Note that these are exclamations to dancers to continue dancing very well.

Jiggy (fashion) = fashion that are fly, funky [in the latest style according to African American urban aesthetics] Note that these are compliments.

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SELECTED RECORD EXAMPLES WHOSE LYRICS INCLUDE THE WORD "JIGGY"
1. Will Smith - "Gettin Jiggy Wit It"
African American Hip Hop, 1997
Lyric excerpt:
i go psycho, when my new joint hits/
juss cant sit/
gotta get jiggy wit it/
THATS IT!/
Source: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/willsmith/gettinjiggywitit.html
-snip-
Interpretation:
"I go crazy (I get real excited) when I hear my new record".
I just can't sit, I got to get up and enjoy myself dancing enthusiastically (excitedly, wildly)...

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2. Sean Paul - "Get Busy" [also colloquially known as "Shake That Thing Miss Annabella"]
Jamaican Dancehall, filmed in Canada, 2003
Phrase: "Get jiggy"
Lyric excerpt:
Woman Get busy, Just shake that booty non-stop
When the beat drops
Just keep swinging it
Get jiggy
Get crunked up
Percolate anything you want to call it
Oscillate you hip and don’t take pity
-snip-
Interpretation:
Dance provocatively, Get busy [doing that seductive dance]
-snip-
Note that "crunk" is style of African American Hip Hop dancing/

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3. Voicemail, featuring Delly Ranx and Bogle - "Weh Di Time" (also given as "Weddy Time" and "Jiggy Time")
Jamaican Dancehall, 2004
Phrase: "keepin it jiggy" and "it's a jiggy" time"
Lyric excerpts:
"Missa Wacky dis keepin' it jiggy with Delly and Voice Mail...

It's a Jiggy time again
Jiggy Jiggy Jiggy Jiggy
A Jiggy time again
-snip-
Interpretation:
It's a jiggy time = It's time to dance, it's time to kick back, (loosen up), relax, and have fun.
-snip-
Note that Wikipedia calls this song a "party anthem" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voice_Mail_(band)

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4. Elephant Man - "Keepin it jiggy"
Jamaican Dancehall, 2004
Lyric excerpt:
"Mek them stay dey war like Tupac and Biggy
Dance we a dance and keeping it jiggy"...
http://www.lyrics.m106.com/s121715,Elephant,Man.html
-snip-
Interpretation:
Make them call a truce in their war (like the African American rappers) Tupac and Biggy [Biggy Smalls]
We'll dance a dance and keep up the good times [and have some fun.]

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S COMMENT
This is by no means a comprehensive listing of songs that include the word "jiggy". For instance,
“Carl Poppa” by Bad Lip Reading is an example of a contemporary American song which parodies a character on the popular television series The Walking Dead is The chorus to that song includes the line "jiggy jar jar doo doo". The word "jiggy" serves a lyrical purpose only, and otherwise is meaningless. Click https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9aM9Ch97U8 for a video of that 2014 song.

Also, the first part of the stage name "Jiggly Caliente", a contestant on Season 4 of RuPaul's Drag Race, is an example of an adaptation of the word "jiggle". Click http://www.socialitelife.com/rupauls-drag-race-meet-the-queens-jiggly-caliente-02-2012 for that interview.

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ETYMOLOGY OF THE WORD "JIGABOO"
1. From http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=jigaboo 
"jigaboo (n.) 
insulting name for a black person, 1909, perhaps from jig (q.v.), which had been applied insultingly to persons (regardless of race) since late 18c., and ending from bugaboo. Shortened form jig is attested from 1924."

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2. From http://www.publicationcoach.com/jiggaboo/
"Here is how Cassell’s Dictionary of Slang defines the term and explains its etymology:

JIGABOO noun [1920’s and still in use] (originally U.S.) a derogatory term for a Black person. [either Standard English ‘jig,’ a dance, ultimately from French giguer, to leap to gambol, to frolic (the classic 19th century stereotypes); or modeled on Standard English ‘bugaboo,’ which, in the 13th century, was the name of a demon, and since the 18th century, the fear of demons in general; or Bantu ‘tshikabo,’ a meek and servile person, used as derogatory by slaves. Paradoxically , the first use of ‘jigaboo’ – in the song ‘ I’ve got rings on my fingers’ in the s how ‘The Midnight Sons’ (1909; music Raymond Hubbell)– appears to have referred to Asians"."

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From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ethnic_slurs
"Jigaboo, jiggabo, jigarooni, jijjiboo, zigabo, jig, jigg, jigga, jigger(US and UK)[139] term for a black person with stereotypical black features (e.g. dark skin, wide nose, and big lips).[140] Jiggaboo or jigabo is from a Bantu verb tshikabo, meaning meek or servile.[141]"
-snip-
The word "jig" may have used as a racial slur for Black people because the beginning of that word rhymes with the beginning of the word "nig".

The word "nig" has sometimes been used as a vernacular if not fully pejorative referent for the population of being who are now called African Americans since the mid 19th century. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Nig provides information about the 1859 book "Our Nig: Sketches from the Life of a Free Black" by Harriet E. Wilson. "First published in 1859,[1] it was rediscovered in 1981 by Professor Henry Louis Gates, Jr.[2] and was subsequently reissued with an Introduction by Gates (London: Allison & Busby, 1984).[3] Our Nig has since been republished in several other editions.[4] It was considered the first novel published by an African-American woman in North America,[5][6] though that record is now contested by another manuscript found by Gates, The Bondwoman's Narrative."...

For another example of that tern, the explicit Hip Hop song "My Nig" was recorded by Peezy in 2017.
 
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SOME OTHER ENGLISH LANGUAGE WORDS THAT ARE SPELLED LIKE THE WORD "JIGGY" 
Here's more information about the word "jiggle":
From http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/jiggle
"Jiggle: 
to move or cause (something) to move with quick, short movements up and down or side to side

to cause to move with quick little jerks or oscillating motions

Other English words that are related to "jig" are "jiggle", "jitter", "jittery", and "jitterbug". 

Here's more information about the etymology of the word "jig":
From http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/jig
"Jig: Etymology
An assimilated form of earlier gig, from Middle English gigge, from Old French gige, gigue (“a fiddle, kind of dance”), from Frankish *gīge (“dance, fiddle”), from Proto-Germanic *gīganą (“to move, wish, desire”), from Proto-Indo-European *gheiǵh-, *gheigh- (“to yawn, gape, long for, desire”)."

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Here are two comments from the YouTube video viewer comment thread for a 1914 silent film clip of African American dancing. The publisher titled that video "A 1914 film showing black people dancing in a dance hall - Great dance moves. Getting jiggy with it!"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq05EGAIKko 
MooPotPie, January 2015
"The root of the term "jig" in the dance context is non-racial in. It comes from the French "Gigue" or Spanish "Giga" and simply refers to lively folk dancing. Now "jigaboo" is a different story. While it's origins are actually Bantu, it became a well-known racial slur in the English-speaking world in the 19th-century. I'm pretty sure "jiggy", in this context, refers to the former. I can think of far worse slang we've come to embrace in the today's hip-hop culture . . . I'm sure you can too."

**
[reply]
lucy rosevelt, February 2015
"+MooPotPie Yeah, I was thinking Irish Jig - fast fancy footwork that developed into American Tap dancing." 

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 This concludes Part I of this series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.

Elephant Man - "Get On Up And Dance" (example, partial lyrics, & comments)

Edited by Azizi Powell

This is Part V of a six part series of posts on a sampling of African American and Caribbean songs whose titles include the words "Get Up" or "Get On Up".

This post showcases Elephant Man's 2004 Dancehall record "Get On Up and Dance".

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2012/07/various-sound-files-videos-of-get-up.html for Part I of that series.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-esquires-get-on-up-example-lyrics.html for Part II of that series.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/08/james-brown-get-up-sex-machine-get-up.html for Part III of this series.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/08/jodeci-get-on-up-example-lyrics-comments.html for Part IV of this series.

Click http://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2014/08/public-enemy-get-up-stand-up-example.html for Part VI off this series.

The content of this post is presented for historical, cultural, entertainment, motivational, and aesthetic purpose.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Elephant Man for this record. Thanks also to all those who are quoted in this post, and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.

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EDITORIAL COMMENT
The "Get Up" songs that are showcased in this series encourage people to get up and dance. while the "Get Up Stand Up" songs encourage people to address the wrongs that they experience in oppressive societies.

I find it interesting that James Brown's “Get Up Offa That Thing" includes lyrics that encourage people to "dance 'til you feel better" and "dance to try to relieve that pressure". And I content that Black dance songs and play songs-along with Black work songs and religious songs- helped Black people survive the horrors of slavery. And dance songs along with other non-religious songs and religious songs continue to help Black people survive the oppression we've faced post slavery up to and including today, even if it's only to take our minds off of that oppression for a little while.

Part III of this series includes more comments about this subject.

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INFORMATION ABOUT ELEPHANT MAN
From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_Man_(musician)
"O'Neil Bryan (born 11 September 1975), better known by his stage name Elephant Man, is a Jamaican dancehall musician.

Born in Kingston, Jamaica, he started out his musical career as a member of the Scare Dem Crew, later continuing as a solo artist. He was later characterised for several trademarks, such as his dyed yellow-orange hair, his unique low-key voice, and his stage performance, which included jumping and running, or even climbing on stage props and monitors. His acoustic trademark is marked by a light lisp...

Many of his songs are found on various Riddim Driven albums by VP Records and Greensleeves Records's Rhythm Album series. He performs on popular riddims such as "Diwali", "Coolie", "Stepz", and "Bubble Up"...

Years active: 1997–present"...

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SHOWCASE VIDEO: Elephant Man - Get On Up and Dance(Thrilla Riddim)



Doing Numbers Like SuDoku Uploaded on Mar 11, 2009

Thrilla Riddim
Get On Up And Dance (Original Mix) by Elephant Man from the album Biggest Ragga Dancehall Anthems 2004
-snip-
The chorus of that song is:
Get on up and dance (Alright)
tunda clap and dance (alright)
Keepin it jiggy then yuh waan come wid it
Everybody ready ready and dance
Get on up and dance (Give dem di dance now)
tunda clap and dance
(A ready ready ready ready)
Keepin it jiggy then yuh waan come wid it
Everybody ready ready and dance
-snip-
Click http://www.lyricsmania.com/get_on_up_lyrics_elephant_man.htmlfor the complete lyrics to this song. Those lyrics include one curse word.
-snip-
TUNDA CLAP (THUNDER CLAP)
A "tunda clap" ("thunder clap"; "thunderclap") is a type of hand gesture that is performed in a rhythmical, repetitive manner while dancing to dancehall music. This type of clapping is usually done in response to lyrical commands in the song. The thunder clap is supposed to (loosely) imitate the sound of thunder (i.e. The sound made by this clap isn't a sharp crack, although perhaps it was originally meant to be performed that way.)

How to perform "thunder clap" (thunderclap)
The following instructions are from my observations of my daughter doing this clap which she learned from some Jamaicans during a summer vacation in 2004 or 2005:
In response to the song's instructional command to thunder clap,
hold your right hand palm up away from your head and then slide the palm of your left hand over the palm of the right hand starting at the back of the palm.

This thunder clap is repeated in a moderately slow pace to the beat (or on the off beat?) of the dancehall song while continuing to dance to that song.
-snip-
Here's another explanation of "thunder clap" from http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=thunderclap
"Thunder Clap
Clapping in the air with a sliding motion. With one hand raised first, with the second to meet it half way, clapping, with the second hand left extended. Repeat back and forth.
Look at that guy, he knows how to thunder clap!!"
by Setrock, October 29, 2004
Note: That page includes sexually explicit definitions for thunderclap.

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KEEPIN IT JIGGY [Revised 2/6/2015]
"Keepin it jiggy" means to "keeping the energy and enthusiasm up (so that people can dance and otherwise have a good time).

The phrase "keepin it jiggy" is an expansion of the phrase "gettin[g] jiggy with (wit) it" which is the title of African American rapper Will Smith's 1997 hit song.

"Gettin jiggy wit (with) it" means to "have a good time", "to get hyped (excited)", "to move and dance in an excited way". "Gettin jiggy" often also has connotations of moving (dancing) in a provocative, sexualized way.

Here's one definition for the word "jiggy" from
http://forum.dancehallreggae.com/archive/index.php/t-59720.html, jamdowntnt, 08-20-2005
"jiggy= adjective to describe having a good time..."
-snip-
In the phrase "it's a jiggy time", the word "jiggy" acts as an adjective. However, in the phrase "keepin it jiggy" and "gettin jiggy wit it", the word "jiggy" is a noun.

here's a second quote from that same blog, posted by Don Malvo, 08-20-2005
"Jiggy - originally black American urban slang, made popular in mainstream American culture by actor/rapper Will Smith and co-opted by Elephant Man, has since become passe in the African-American community in which it originated; used varyingly to refer to 'having a good time' (as jamdowntnt put it) or a blanket descriptive term for the colourful, dance-oriented style of dancehall reggae currently in vogue, epitomized by artists Elephant Man and Voise Mail (and a few tracks by Beenie [m]an."
-snip-
"Gettin jiggy with it" was also used among African Americans as a positive commentary on a person's non-standard, funky fashion style. In that usage, a person who was "gettin jiggy with it" was keeping up with the energy and creativity of contemporary street fashions.

A pancocojams post on the word "jiggy" will be published ASAP and its link will be added to this post.

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Visitor comments are welcome.