jib

A jib is best known as a triangular sail set at the front of a ship. From this came the idiom "the cut of one's jib," which means a person's general appearance or character. Away from the sea, a jib is also the projecting arm of a crane used for lifting. As a verb, "jib" means to stop short or refuse to go on, much like a stubborn horse or a person pushing back against a new plan.

The word "jib" is a maritime term that has sailed into several corners of English. Originally, it refers to a triangular fore-and-aft sail set on a stay in front of the foremast. In the days of sail, the specific "cut" of these sails could help sailors identify a ship's nationality or type from a distance. This gave rise to the phrase "the cut of your jib," which we now use to describe someone's appearance, manner, or character, often when you form a quick opinion of them.

The term also moved from the shipyard to the construction site. In engineering, a "jib" is the horizontal or angled arm of a crane or derrick that helps support and move a load. If you look up at a city skyline, those long arms reaching over the buildings are jibs at work. The word also takes on a stubborn streak when used as a verb. To "jib" is to balk or refuse to move forward, a term often used for horses that suddenly stop or for people who show reluctance to accept a suggestion.

Finally, in some regional uses, "jib" can refer to a person's mouth or face. That sense appears in expressions about bold or boastful talk. Whether you are admiring a ship, operating heavy machinery, or describing someone who refuses to budge, the word "jib" often suggests something set forward or thrust outward, whether it is a sail, a mechanical arm, or, by extension, a striking look or manner.