high jinks
Preserved but no longer current.
Sense 1
A gambler at dice, who, having a strong head, drinks to intoxicate his adversary, or pigeon.
Era: ca. 1811 (Georgian)
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Grose’s Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue (1811 edition, public domain; Project Gutenberg #5402, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Sense 2
"ON THE HIGH JINKS," taking up an arrogant position, assuming an undue superiority. Scott explains this game in Guy Mannering. Nowadays HIGH JINKS is often used to mean a jollification.
Era: ca. 1874 (Victorian)
Sources & notes
Historical definition reproduced from Hotten’s The Slang Dictionary (1874, public domain; Project Gutenberg #42108, retrieved 2026-07-31). Reflects the attitudes of its era.
Common questions
What does “high jinks” mean?
A gambler at dice, who, having a strong head, drinks to intoxicate his adversary, or pigeon.
Is “high jinks” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.