This week Shauna and Dan try to track down the figurative use of Jump Through Hoops, since people have literally been jumping through hoops since hoops were invented. Bonus: Shauna's hoops, bill paying in the 90s, and how your hosts brains work
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Bunny Trails: A Word History Podcast
Episode 264: Jump Through Hoops
Record Date: January 19, 2025
Air Date: January 29, 2025
Intro
Dan:
Welcome to Bunny Trails, a whimsical adventure of idioms and other turns of phrase.
I’m Dan Pugh
Shauna:
And I’m Shauna Harrison
Each week we take an idiom or other turn of phrase and try to tell the story from its entry into the English language, to how it’s used today.
Opening Hook
Sometimes, life can feel a bit like being in a circus, with ongoing demands, distractions, and expectations. You may even feel as though you must perform tricks and maybe even literally jump through hoops.
Meaning
Oxford English Dictionary tells us, “jumping through hoops” refers to a circular ring, often with paper stretched over it, through which acrobats or performing animals leap. It’s also figurative, especially in to go or jump through hoops, which means,
Quote
to undergo an ordeal or trial
End quote
https://www.oed.com/dictionary/hoop_n1?tab=meaning_and_use#1242790
This phrase can be traced back to the 1700s when the circus became popular in Europe and North America. The concept of animals jumping through hoops was likely not a new practice but the widespread impact of circuses would have contributed to the phrase’s popularity.
1790
We see it used in the literal sense in John Trusler’s 1790 work, titled, “The Progress Of Man And Society: From the Cradle to the Grave and from the Infancy of Things to Their Present State ; For The Use of Schools.”
Here is an excerpt,
Quote
But man, by his exertions, has by a kind of education, taught some animals to perform wonderful things, and make their sagacity wear the appearance of reason. Monkeys have been taught to wait at table; dogs to fetch and carry; bears to dance; horses to jump through hoops suspended in the air; birds to fire guns, and the like;
End quote
https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Progress_Of_Man_And_Society/-BCeL36P2hIC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=%22jump+through+hoops%22&pg=PA257&printsec=frontcover
This usage was talking about the literal jumping of hoops but the passage isn’t describing specific activities, nor is it a narration of an event. It is talking about the kinds of feats that humans have taught to animals. Jumping through hoops was representative of the entire idea of doing something challenging or unnecessarily complicated to achieve an outcome.
Because of this, it’s rather difficult to pin down a date for when the phrase began being used solely in its figurative form, partially because it is still being used in both ways. During the 1800s the phrase continued to primarily have a literal usage in discussing this type of performance.
1871
Here is an example from The Wheeling daily register, April 05, 1871, out of Wheeling, West Virginia.
Quote
The “wonderful Cynocephalus” is a gray, malicious-looking educated monkey, who rides on horseback, after the ordinary fashion of circus-riders in a New York circus. One who has witnessed his skillful horse-monkeyship states that, though trained to walk on his hind legs, “he evidently pines for all fours, and has a constant tendency to indulge surreptitiously in that mode of locomotion.” The Cynocephalus is just as expert at riding a horse bareback and jumping through hoops and over banners as any other knight of the arena in spangles and tights;
End quote
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84026847/1871-04-05/ed-1/seq-3/#date1=1850&index=11&rows=20&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&words=hoops+jumping+through&proxdistance=5&date2=1875&ortext=&proxtext=&phrasetext=jumping+through+hoops&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
1874
There are some usages from this same timeframe that seem more figurative. Here is one from The Athens post, dated May 08, 1874, out of Athens, Tennessee. The piece is titled, A Pious Equestrienne,
Quote
A young woman who rides horseback in a circus, has been interviewed by a reporter of the Baltimore American, and to his inquiry whether circus people have any “religious feeling,” was told that jumping through hoops did not prevent her from trying to do good, and that she was a member of a Church and in good standing.
End quote
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84024443/1874-05-08/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=1850&index=0&rows=20&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&words=hoops+jumping+through&proxdistance=5&date2=1875&ortext=&proxtext=&phrasetext=jumping+through+hoops&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
1917
Up next, we have a very clear, figurative usage of the phrase. This comes from a work by Pelham Grenville Wodehouse, known as P. G. Wodehouse. This is from the 1917 work, The man with two left feet, and other stories.
Quote
It was his business to make money, and, when called upon, to jump through hoops and sham dead at the bidding of his wife and daughter Mae.
End quote
https://www.oed.com/dictionary/hoop_n1?tab=meaning_and_use#1242790
1926
The next item comes from the Seward daily gateway, September 28, 1926, out of Seward, Alaska.This one involves a supposed scandal between a prominent evangelist and a man who had worked for her.
Quote
Just like so many nice little doggies, are these Carmel witnesses, who are trained to jump through hoops and they had five months to train them.
End quote
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn87062169/1926-09-28/ed-1/seq-1/#date1=1924&index=2&rows=20&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&words=hoops+jump+through&proxdistance=5&date2=1939&ortext=&proxtext=&phrasetext=jump+through+hoops&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
1937
Up next is a panel from the comic strip Joe Jinks in The Waterbury Democrat, March 02, 1937 edition, out of Waterbury, Connecticut. In the strip, a woman is trying to stop another woman from flirting with her guy. The final panel depicts her thinking,
Quote
He may balk at leaving New York just now -- But I can handle him! A smile -- a tear, perhaps --- And I can make him jump through hoops!
End quote
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn82014085/1937-03-02/ed-1/seq-17/#date1=1924&index=0&rows=20&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&words=HOOPS+JUMP+THROUGH&proxdistance=5&date2=1939&ortext=&proxtext=&phrasetext=jump+through+hoops&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
1950
The last item is an ad from the Evening star, February 10, 1950, out of Washington, D.C.
Quote
I’ll jump through hoops for your business!
Says Jerry Slagle of Old Dominion Motors
Ever notice all the happy folks driving new Hudsons away from my place? Know why? They wanted BIG money for their trade-ins and, brother, they got it? I’m not Santa Claus but I’ll lose money to make friends! Come on over and wheel and deal with me! I’ll make it EASY for you to own this new Hudson.
Only $666 Down
End quote
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83045462/1950-02-10/ed-1/seq-16/#date1=1944&index=4&rows=20&searchType=advanced&language=&sequence=0&words=HOOPS+JUMP+THROUGH&proxdistance=5&date2=1963&ortext=&proxtext=&phrasetext=jump+through+hoops&andtext=&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
We have several modern uses to cover and we’ll get to those, right after we say thank you to our sponsors.
A Quick Thank You
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Modern Uses
2018
Jump Through The Hoops is a 2018 song by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. Here are some of the lyrics,
Quote
No time to stop and assess
Can't let it grind to a halt
Can't stop and look at the mess
And then find out it's my fault
I can't stop for a single minute
I know hell, well, I'm livin' in it
(No time to stop at all)
I gotta jump through the hoops
End quote
https://youtu.be/38-W-iyxZSE?si=2brJ40i9NjBJ5ExG
2019
Another Hoop to Jump Through is a pastel on paper painting by Joann Renner of the United States, originally created in 2019. Here is what Renner shares about the piece.
Quote
Part of my series of pastels and oils using Surrealist images based on ancient sites. These are a metaphor for mental health issues like anxiety, depression and PTSD. This image is about that feeling when you get so tired of "jumping through hoops" to accomplish something.
End quote
https://www.saatchiart.com/art/Painting-Another-Hoop-to-Jump-Through/867403/6573195/view
The painting does depict a surrealist landscape… it almost appears to be blend of a place in the clouds but also a place long-deserted. There are stone steps that lead to a circular arch - a hoop. It has the feel of garden sculpture but on a rather grand scale. Very intriguing to view.
2023
Jumping Through Hoops is a 2023 commercial by Tangerine Bank. The description reads,
Quote
Hoop Dramatization. Do not attempt. It’s taxing, cumbersome, and frankly really annoying.
Instead, take a moment and ask yourself “why does this hoop even exist” and “is there a better way around it”.
We find that the answers are almost always: “it shouldn’t” & “yes”.
End quote
https://youtu.be/s6m4ckUlYnk?si=c-LuY0aOTiDMC_Lj
The commercial is a sort of dystopian style short film that depicts humans in a rather grey world in business attire… the are shuffling through offices, down sidewalks, through subways… all the while, they must climb through literal hoop after hoop. It sort of looks torturous.
2023
Jumping Through Hoops: Avoiding Introvert Burnout In The Corporate World is a 2023 article by Lesley Tait that was posted on LinkedIn. Here’s how the article begins,
Quote
For introverts, the corporate world can be a daunting place.
The stereotypical image of a leader is often that of an extroverted, gregarious individual who thrives on social interaction, full of energy and loves being the center of attention.
It comes from a mostly unintentional bias that extroverts are somehow ‘better’ than us.
Unfortunately, this can create a situation where you feel you must jump through ‘extrovert’ hoops to prove your worth at work and earn promotion.
End quote
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/jumping-through-hoops-avoiding-introvert-burnout-corporate-tait
Current
Hallmark has a little figurine for sale that features Peanuts’ Snoopy and Charlie Brown. Snoopy is shown running down a small track, at the end of which, he jumps through a hoop being held by Charlie Brown. The side of the figurine reads,
Quote
A good friend will always jump through hoops for you.
End quote
https://www.kroger.com/p/hallmark-peanuts-snoopy-charlie-brown-jump-through-hoops-limited-figurine-new/0076379565239
Upcoming
Jumping Through Hoops is a book by Betsy Golden Kellem that is set to be published in June of 2025. Here is part of the synopsis from the publisher,
Quote
Jumping Through Hoops reveals the hidden history of early female circus performers: boundary-breaking women like Lavinia Warren, known as The Queen of Beauty; Millie-Christine McKoy, the Two-Headed Nightingale; and Patty Astley, the mother of the modern circus. These astounding female and gender-nonconforming artists wrestled snakes, performed magic tricks with electricity, and walked across waterfalls on tightropes, shattering taboos by performing in public at a time when “respectable” women were mostly confined to their homes.
End quote
https://www.feministpress.org/books-overflow/jumping-through-hoops
Wrap up:
‘Jump through hoops’ is a phrase that perfectly captures the frustration of navigating unnecessary challenges or red tape. It’s relatable and has stood the test of time for good reason. But let’s be honest - while it’s a great expression, life is better when you’re not living this experience! If you can avoid the hoops altogether, you’re probably in a situation where things are smoother, simpler, and a bit more rewarding.
Shauna:
That’s about all we have for today. If you have any thoughts on the show, or pop culture references we should have included, reach out to us on Patreon, patreon.com/bunnytrailspod, or comment on our website, bunnytrailspod.com
Dan:
It’s poll time!
Recently we asked our Patrons, Would you rather live in a tree house or a cave home?
The winner was: Cave home.
Shauna:
I like both ideas… it’s like visiting the elves and the hobbits in Lord of the Rings.
Jan shared:
Quote
Cave - constant temperature all year, bat friends = less bugs, cool rock formations. Tree house has a potential to fall in a storm, hard to heat and cool.
End quote
Dan:
And Cheryl adds:
Quote
I like the idea of a tree house but I'm afraid of heights so I'll stick with the cave.
End Quote
I bet a tree house would be beautiful. But I'm with Cheryl about heights. So cave for me. And honestly, the hobbit houses are pretty awesome and they are basically caves.
Dan:
As a reminder, our silly polls mean absolutely nothing and are not scientifically valid. And patrons of all levels, including our free tiers, can take part. Head over to patreon.com/bunnytrailspod to take this week’s poll!
Outro
Dan:
Thanks for joining us. We’ll talk to you again next week. Until then remember,
Together:
Words belong to their users.
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