Etymology Dictionary

JARGON,  a confused talk.  (F.,—L.?)   M. E. jargon, jergon, chattering.   'And ful of jergon' = very talkative; Chaucer, C. T. 9722.   Particularly used of the chattering of birds; Gower, C. A. ii. 264, 318; Rom. of the Rose, 716.—F. jargon, 'gibridge, fustian language,' Cot.; jargonner, 'to speak fustian, jangle, chatter,' id.   The word is old, and appears with the sense of the chattering of birds in the 13th cent. (Littré).   Cf. Span. gerigonza, jargon; gerigonzar, to speak a jargon; Ital. gergo, jargon.   β. All perhaps from a Lat. base GARG, an extension from ✔GAR, to call, cry out, make a noise, seen in Lat. garrire; see Jar (1).   This extended form GARG, answering to a Teut. base KARK, is exactly represented in English by M. E. charken, to creak as a cart, and the A. S. cearcian, to gnash the teeth (Ælfric's Homilies, i. 132).   An attenuated form of charken is the M. E. chirken, to chirp, to make a harsh noise.   'Al ful of chirking [ = jargon] was that sory place;' Chaucer, C. T. 2006.