Where did the term "jury rigging" come from?

Question

Where did the term "jury rigging" come from?

Answer 1

You've got it all wrong, it's Jerry-rigging.  There was a congressman (of course now I can't remember his name, but I'm sure you can Wiki it) who wanted the lines redrawn for his district so he was sure to win.  His first name was Jerry.  This also coined the term Jerry-mandering, like a meandering line to separate the districts instead of the straight lines he once had.

Answer 2

Jury-rig is a very old nautical term meaning something put up as a substitute in an emergency. Lots of people say jerry-rig, but they're wrong. They have got it confused with jerry-built which has a similar idea in that whatever is built that way is not made to last but it's a newer term. Search jerry-built on the net and you'll see. Gerry-mandering has nothing to do with either.

Answer 3

You can say "jury-rig" or "jerry-rig". Either way it's the same. Read below.

ju·ry-rig (jr-rg)

tr.v. ju·ry-rigged, ju·ry-rig·ging, ju·ry-rigs

To rig or assemble for temporary emergency use; improvise: The survivors of the wreck jury-rigged some fishing gear.

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[From jury-rig, jury-rigging, improvised rigging on a ship, modeled on jury-mast, temporary mast, perhaps ultimately from Old French ajurie, help, from aider, to help; see aid.]