Davy Jones
[ johnz ]
/ dʒoʊnz /
noun
the personification of the sea.
Origin of Davy Jones
First recorded in 1745–55; origin uncertain
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for davy jones
Davy Jones
/ (ˈdeɪvɪ) /
noun
Also called: Davy Jones's locker the ocean's bottom, esp when regarded as the grave of those lost or buried at sea
the spirit or devil of the sea
Word Origin for Davy Jones
C18: of unknown origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for davy jones
Davy Jones
"the spirit of the sea," 1751, first mentioned in Smollett's "The Adventures of Peregrin Pickle" (chapter 15) as an ominous and terrifying fiend who "presides over all the evil spirits of the deep, and is often seen in various shapes, perching among the rigging on the eve of hurricanes, shipwrecks and other disasters." Davy Jones's Locker "bottom of the sea," is 1803, from nautical slang, of unknown origin; second element may be from biblical Jonah, regarded as unlucky by sailors.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper