joning, vbl. n.
(ˈdʒəʊnɪŋ)
[Origin unknown.]
A name given by American Blacks to a game characterized by the exchange of insults; ‘playing the dozens’.
| 1970 H. E. Roberts Third Ear 12/2 Signifying,..language behavior that makes direct or indirect implications of baiting or boasting, the essence of which is making fun of another's appearance, relatives or situation. Variations include joning, playing the dozens. 1971 C. M. Kernan in A. Dundes Mother Wit (1973) 312 The verbal insult game known in other regions as..‘Joning’. 1972 J. L. Dillard Black English vi. 260 There are, of course, some characteristic topics, speech styles, and modes of discourse. One of the more interesting is called jonin' by the Washington community—sounding or the dozens elsewhere. |