Mary Jane

¹ American  

[mair-ee jeyn] / ˈmɛər i ˈdʒeɪn /

noun

1. a small, round sponge cake, usually with a circular indentation on top, for topping with fruit, whipped cream, etc., and served as an individual portion.

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Trademark.

1. Mary Janes, small bits of chocolate, candy, sugar, or the like, for sprinkling on ice cream; sprinkles.

2. a brand of young girls' low-heeled shoe of patent leather having across the instep a single strap that fastens at the side.

Mary Jane ² American  

[mair-ee jeyn] / ˈmɛər i ˌdʒeɪn /

Or maryjane

noun

Slang.

1. marijuana. MJ

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mary jane British  

noun

1. a slang term for marijuana

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Etymology

Origin of Mary Jane

First recorded in 1925–30; translation of Mexican Spanish marijuana, by the popular assumption—probably incorrect—that it is a compound of Spanish María and Juana

Example Sentences

The deputy was standing alongside a woman that Elgan recognized as Mary Jane Zakas, 77, a longtime elementary schoolteacher and a leader in the local Republican Party.

From New York Times • Jun. 6, 2024

Comfort comes first, with all outfits, even the most glamorous evening gowns, paired with Mary Jane shoes, ballet flats or platform loafers worn with little white socks.

From Seattle Times • May 13, 2024

Not much information was available at the time about Zendaya’s character, Michelle, but Deadline reported that she likely wouldn’t be Spidey’s love interest because her name wasn’t Gwen or Mary Jane.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 24, 2023

Chief Justice Mary Jane Theis, writing for the majority, decreed that the law honors the constitution’s balance between the rights of victims and defendants.

From Washington Times • Jul. 19, 2023

Mary Jane sniffles, her legs crossed; together, Reggie’s parents seem barely to be holding it together, folding in on themselves.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel