Jin″go (?), n.; pl.Jingoes (#). [Said to be a corruption of St. Gingoulph.]
1. A word used as a jocular oath. “By the living jingo.” Goldsmith.
2. A statesman who pursues, or who favors, aggressive, domineering policy in foreign affairs.
☞ This sense arose from a doggerel song which was popular during the Turco-Russian war of 1877 and 1878. The first two lines were as follows: —
We don't want to fight, but by Jingo if we do,
We 've got the ships, we 've got the men, we 've got the money too.