OT

Trying to find the origin of 'jongler', which, I believe, means 'to think'
in Cajun French.

According to Rev. Msgr, Daigle's Dictionary, jongler means to think, meditate, worry, refect. He doesn't list the origin.

According to Google translate, jongle means to juggle.

The listed Standard French words, from Google and an online French dictionary, for 'Think' are:
penser
croire (used by Cajuns)
imaginer
reflechir
mediter
raisonner
idee ( also used by Cajuns)

No references to Old French suggest jongler ever had anyting to do with thinking

I've had pseudo-French speakers ask me what was I singing about:
" Tout les jour, après jongler, t'es après jongler, eou toi t'es, oh ca m'faire du mal"

JB

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).

- It is listed in all Acadian dictionaries (Canada). Poirier, Cormier...
http://books.google.fr/books?id=ryjD8fRwwbcC&pg=PA167&dq=jongler&hl=fr&sa=X&ei=DKv6UrmcJKHB7Ab66oHADw&ved=0CDYQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=jongler&f=false
So, it might have a regional origin (Poitou or Normandy).

- 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.

ahh, food for some more thinkwork ...



Nout

JB,

I have a couple thoughts about "Jongler" .. but be it known
that I am absolutely completely no authority whatsoever on
the Cajun vernacular!

I've often thought of "Jongler" as being similar to juggling
in the respect of one juggling a thought in one's head.

Sort of as we say "Toss it around". To consider or think about something; "Some of us have been tossing around suggestions for improving the show."

Or, as David Byrne of the talking heads says: "It makes sense .. but not if
you try to figure it out!"

--Big Nick

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.

In colloquial/argot/slang French

a "jongler" is an attorney, a lawyer.

Check the previous posts and substitute "jongleurs" for jonglers...

In colloquial/argot/slang French.. a "jongler" is an attorney, a lawyer.