jag

Jag is a term with several distinct meanings in English, used in different contexts as a noun and as an acronym or nickname.

As a noun, jag can refer to a sharp point or projection on an edge or surface, or to a rough notch or tooth-like irregularity. In carpentry, machining, and related fields, a “jag” describes a protruding or irregular feature that interrupts a smooth edge.

A second, informal noun meaning is a binge or period of intensified activity, especially relating to drinking, spending, or other excesses. Phrases such as “on a drinking jag” or “a spending jag” convey a temporary spree rather than a long-term habit.

In military and legal usage, JAG stands for Judge Advocate General’s Corps or Department, the legal arm of the armed forces in several countries, most commonly referenced in the United States. This designation appears in official titles and professional references to military lawyers.

In popular culture and everyday speech, Jag is also a nickname for Jaguar, the British luxury car brand, used affectionately or informally to refer to the vehicle itself.

Etymology varies across senses: the physical-edge sense is ancient, tied to the idea of a protrusion or notch, while the binge sense is a later metaphorical development. The acronym JAG is a modern construction formed from the initials of Judge Advocate General.