the word 'gig'

[peter1958]

What is the derivation of the word GIG as in 'playing a gig'?

[emeritus]

Dont know if anyone really knows for sure but one theory is it came from the french word "gigue" which means Ball or Dance.

[Quizmonster]

It first appeared in an article in the Melody Maker in the 1920s, but - as Emeritus suggests - the origin prior to that is unknown. Perhaps that was the origin!
Certainly, the word 'gig' meant fun/merriment as far back as the 1700s, so perhaps there was a suggestion of people playing just for the heck of it.

[heathfield]

More on 'gig' if you scroll down to 'Message; 3' here.