A while back, on my dad's forum, we went into a lot of discussions on many of these old words that are not longer used in France, or have a different meaning. I remember discussing this one, but can't remember much about the discussion, maybe Christian, Marc, or my dad, does.
We do use "jongler" for "think". "penser", to me, means more like English's " wonder" and also "think", and "croire" is closer to English's "believe".
j'apres jongler pour les vieux temps-I'm thinking about the old days.
j'pense si le temps fait frais en dehors- I wonder if it's cold outside
le temps fait frais en dehors, j'pense-it's cold outside, I think.
le temp fait frais en dehors, j'croire-it's cold outside, I believe.
Anyone think (couldn't resist) different, feel free to correct me.
I too have always been intrigued by this meaning. I don't remember the conclusion of our discussion.
But :
- Yes, it only means "to juggle" in st. French (including in the figurative, like in Nick's example).
- This sense is also mentioned as a canadianism in French dictionaries: http://atilf.atilf.fr/
- Some Canadian dictionaries indicate that it comes from the Old French "jangler". But all the old dictionaries I have consulted (including reference historical and etymological dictionaries) never contain "jangler = jongler = penser/réfléchir".
The origin of this meaning remains a mystery for me.
My French teacher in college, a native French speaker, told me that jongler is the verb "to juggle." It's use, at one time, was when your "thinking" implied a decision, or preference. Literally, "juggling your thoughts."
Penser was used to assert your thoughts. She also said that jongler is rarely used, now except among rural folk.