Definition of jammed

"Jammed" has its roots in the Old English word "gemænan," meaning "to make common." This evolved into "jam" meaning "to press or squeeze together." The earliest recorded use of "jammed" as a verb comes from the late 1500s, describing the act of forcing things tightly together. This meaning expanded to include being stuck or obstructed, like a door jammed shut. The metaphorical usage of "jammed" to describe being overwhelmed or busy emerged in the late 1800s, reflecting the feeling of being tightly packed or unable to move.