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[I have no idea what a jackwagon actually IS and I'm a former infantry captain!]

Nope not a Gunny.

"Jackwagon" -- Well, I recall the term being used around the campfire on outings with my dad and his LEO coworkers way back in the 60s. That's my earliest recollection of it. And yep, they pretty much used it the same as R. Lee Ermy's Gunnery Psychologist character in the Geico commercial. ie "man, what a jackwagon to get caught like that - threw his whole life away".

Also recall usage such as "He's going to end up handcuffed in the jackwagon if he keeps that up". So I always figured "Jackwagon" was related to "Paddywagon" and folks who ended up in same.

I also recall another colloquial use of the word "Jack" ie: "Take your time, don't jack that up, we don't have another one" - that was used when we were working on cars in the garage.

But since you asked and made me curious... A little Googling indicates the "Jack-wagon" was the cowboy's chow wagon. That makes sense - if an errant cowboy required restraint out in the field, the chow wagon would be the logical place to put them. Or make them wash dishes / peel potatoes etc. for behavior modification.

Here's the definitions in the urban dictionary:

jackwagon

When something goes awry; someone who fouls something up, i.e., plans, projects, etc.
1. The vacation plans were jackwagoned.

2. I can't believe he messed up the vacation plans, what a jackwagon!
Jun 22, 2005

jackwaggon

A giant dumbass who doesnt know anything. Who would quite possibly get everyone killed because of his stupidity
man: bob what are you doing
bob: tryin to shoot that gas can
man: you damn jackwaggon
Oct 25, 2010

In fact there's a whole plethora of derogatory terms beginning with "Jack" listed, "Jackass", for example. But most of which are inappropriate in polite company.

I don't know who/what "Jack" was to deserve such a derogatory connotation - but he/it must have been of unsavory character, consistent with the degenerate character of those Jackweasels who wrote and signed the letter in the thread's subject article - and tried to "hiJack" the Tea Party into their Jack-wagon - which is loaded with a whole bunch of stupid, regardless of whether it's named Jack, or not.