Q. Why do we call a backward place a "jerkwater" town?
A. Steam engines needed to refill their boilers from water
towers next to the tracks but some "towns" were so small
that they lacked a water tower. When trains stopped in
those places, the crew had to find a nearby stream or well
and, bucket-brigade style, "jerk" the water to the train.
A. Steam engines needed to refill their boilers from water
towers next to the tracks but some "towns" were so small
that they lacked a water tower. When trains stopped in
those places, the crew had to find a nearby stream or well
and, bucket-brigade style, "jerk" the water to the train.
by Ron Ruth May 28, 2007
Get the jerkwatermug. by wriggler February 23, 2005
Get the jerkwatermug. by Hazard October 23, 2003
Get the jerkwatermug.