Definition of the word jot down

The origin of the phrase "jot down" can be traced back to the late 16th century in England. "Jot" is a descriptive term for a quick and rough sketch or note, and it derives from the Old Norse word "geita" meaning "to notch on a stick or wood". This word was later adopted by the Old English language, where it was pronounced as "geotan". In Middle English, around the 14th century, the word "geotan" evolved into "geten" which meant "to note down" or "to make brief notes". The word "geten" was further transformed into "get", which eventually influenced the pronunciation of "jot". The phrase "jot down" was coined in the late 16th century as a way to document or record something briefly and informally. The term "jot" was stimulated from the idea of quick, scribbled notes that were similar in appearance to notches on a stick, which were known as "jots" during that time. In essence, "jot down" means to write down brief and informal notes quickly and often haphazardly, without the need for refined or detailed language. This phrase continues to be commonly used today, particularly in everyday conversations, meetings, and brainstorming sessions.