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The word for the Chinese boat is of Malay origin. The more common word comes from nautical usage, first reported by the OED as having been used around the time of Columbus, and which meant old rope. Rope in constant use on ships had a tendency to fray and disintegrate, leaving broken ends. These ends, called "junk", could not be used as rope but were collected to be used for a number of other purposes around the ship. Junk took on the figurative meaning of any broken or throwaway article which could be used for another purpose.

Slang has extended the word still further to refer to heroin (hence "junkie", a heroin addict, and later figuratively any addict), and more recently to the male genitalia.

The word has no relation to the German aircraft manufacturer Junkers ( a word which derives from Jung-herr, a young gentleman), as it was in use long before the second world war. This is a fine example of folk etymology.

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14y ago

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