Jizz or GISS? (1 Viewer)

Good to see an article in the latest edition of 'British Birds' (May 2018 Vol 111 p264-274) confirming that the birding term 'jizz' was first published by T A Coward in 1921 who heard it from an unidentified Irishman. They debunk the suggestion that it comes from the military term GIS/GISS - general impression and shape/general impression size and shape - which appears to be without foundation. Despite looking for references and asking relevant authorities they could find evidence that this term was ever used. They also unearth the fact that "jizz" was used in Ireland as early as 1900 as meaning "spirit" or "liveliness" which seems telling to me and the extension as it applies to bird ID a reasonable one (although they're less enthusiastic).

John Cantelo said:

... from an unidentified Irishman. ...

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He couldn't be identified from his jizz?

:king:

Personally I thought it was far from the best use of ten pages of BB, opinions will always vary.

Stephen Dunstan said:

Personally I thought it was far from the best use of ten pages of BB, opinions will always vary.

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I understand your point of view but I find such things fascinating perhaps because I'm a history/social studies graduate. I'd concede, however, that the most important paper in the magazine this month was on raptor persecution in the Dark Peak.

So now, thanks to a dear unidentified Irishman I can continue to use the term as jizz, like I always have but now without any guilty conscience. Cheers John :t:

I always resort to "gestalt" since I'm never around enough birders to use "jizz" in conversation.

Stephen Dunstan said:

Personally I thought it was far from the best use of ten pages of BB, opinions will always vary.

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Agreed !!

White feathers hardly worth the space either. Good account of raptor persecution rescues a very under-par issue.

Steve