- Meaning
- This idiom describes bypassing established order or fairness by cutting in line or taking priority over others who are waiting, often seen as rude or unethical. It evokes the image of physically jumping ahead in a queue, symbolizing impatience or entitlement. The phrase is used in social, bureaucratic, or competitive contexts to critique or describe unfair advantage, carrying a tone of disapproval, indignation, or frustration. It reflects cultural values of fairness and order, particularly in societies where queuing is a social norm, and highlights tensions around privilege and respect for process. The idiom often underscores the irritation of those who adhere to rules when others circumvent them, resonating in settings where equity is prized.
- Origin
- The phrase originated in early 20th-century Britain, tied to the cultural importance of queuing, especially in urban and wartime settings where lines for goods or services were common. An early use appears in a 1916 *The Times* article, describing someone ‘jumping the queue’ for rations during World War I. The idiom gained traction in the 1920s, reflecting Britain’s queuing culture, as seen in George Orwell’s essays on social norms. Its use grew in post-World War II Britain, particularly during austerity and rationing, and was popularized through British literature and media, such as E.M. Forster’s *A Passage to India* (1924), which explores social hierarchies. The phrase’s adoption in American English was slower, given less cultural emphasis on queues, but spread through Commonwealth countries and global media. Its vivid imagery, rooted in the physical act of cutting in line, and its relevance to social etiquette ensured its widespread use across English-speaking cultures, especially in discussions of fairness and privilege.
- Variants
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- Jump the queue
- Jump the line
- Cut the queue
- Skip the queue
- Examples
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- She jumped the queue at the ticket counter, annoying everyone waiting.
- Jump the line, and you’ll face complaints from those who’ve been patient.
- He cut the queue for the concert, sneaking in with VIPs.
- Skip the queue if you know someone, but don’t expect the crowd to be happy.
- They jumped the queue for the grant, using connections to get ahead.
- Jumping the queue at the store sparked an argument among shoppers.
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