Where did the term "jonesing" originate?

The New Oxford American Dictionary has “Origin 1960's: said to come from Jones Alley, in Manhattan, associated with drug addicts.” Some online sources dispute the claim and attribute it to Great Jones Street.

About the use of the word...

"I'm jonesing for a fix!"

I've heard people say:

"I'm jonesing for a soda!" (mostly Coke or Pepsi)

"I'm jonesing for something chocolate!"

Meaning, "I'm craving..." or "I want really badly!"

More Info: www.google.com

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What are your thoughts on this subject?

30 Comments

Don Watson

Once again a very parochial question, hardly suitable for a global audience

Leapy Lee

So now we are being treated to obscure American slang?

Player

I've heard of it but I watch too much American TV

Rafi Manory

let's invent an expression nobody heard of and put it up for quizz...

illonabird

Gregg Oliver, Have heard it used this way. “Something is happening here, but you don’t know what it is, do you Mr. Jones “

Fred Keogh

Too localised to be a part of a worldwide quiz in my opinion

Pat Salloum

I had never heard the expression. Perhaps its usage is partly based on location and partly on who one is hanging out with!!

Bill Coe

There are two answers that are correct, "Keeping up with the Joneses" equates to having a craving. jonesing to have a strong need, desire, or craving for something.

Mark Snyder

Pace Picanti sauce

Janet Jones Newman

I find this very distressing since I'm a proud Jones girl, and my Dad was born in Australia and raised in Wales and Wilkes-Barre, PA. He was never in NYC!

Ed Bona

New York slang for craving something sex, drugs or whatever. Haven't heard that used since the '60s.

Rhoda Welker Adam

Grew up in NY but never heard this.

reenie

I heard it used in the late 70's around Cleveland, Ohio

Gregg Oliver

I don't think it has to do with jones st. Addicts used to ask each other "have you seen mr. Jones?" As code for "do you know where i can get some heroin?"