jam tomorrow

J

jam tomorrow (idiom)
/ˈdʒæm təˈmɒɹəʊ/ (UK), /ˈdʒæm təˈmɑːɹoʊ/ (US)

Synopsis

“Jam tomorrow” means a promise of future reward that never arrives—like being told you’ll get a raise tomorrow that never comes. It originated from Lewis Carroll’s 1871 book “Through the Looking-Glass.”

Meanings

• A promise of something good that is always said to come later but never actually arrives.
• Benefits or rewards that are always postponed and never delivered, often used in political or commercial contexts.
• (Economics) The idea of deferring enjoyment or reward today for the hope of more tomorrow.

Synonyms: empty promise; false hope; pie in the sky; pipe dream; free beer tomorrow.

Example Sentences

1. After years of unkept political pledges, the people saw the new campaign as just jam tomorrow.
2. The company keeps advertising new features “coming soon,” but it’s always jam tomorrow for the users.
3. Economists warn that saving too much in the hope of future wealth can become a case of jam tomorrow if plans keep changing.

Origin and History

The phrase “jam tomorrow” is widely recognized as a symbol of promises that never materialize. Scholars generally agree that it originated as a witty paradox in nineteenth-century literature, later evolving into a metaphor for political and social assurances that remain forever in the future. Two main interpretations shape its history: one focuses on its wordplay rooted in classical grammar, and the other views it as a biting commentary on human tendencies to postpone gratification.

Carroll’s Nonsense with Logic

The earliest appearance of “jam tomorrow” occurs in Lewis Carroll’s 1871 book “Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There.” In the dialogue between Alice and the White Queen, the Queen explains:

“The rule is, jam to-morrow and jam yesterday—but never jam to-day.”

This line marks the first printed record of the phrase and serves as the origin point of the idiom. It was created as part of Carroll’s nonsensical yet logical world, where language and meaning collide to produce humor and paradox.

The Latin Grammar Connection

Behind Carroll’s joke lies a clever linguistic pun. In Latin, the word “iam” (often written or pronounced “jam”) refers to time expressions meaning “already” or “soon,” but it cannot be used for the present moment. The White Queen’s statement—”never jam to-day”—thus plays on this grammatical rule, implying that “jam” is only available in the past or the future, but not in the present. Carroll, who was well-versed in classical languages, likely designed the joke as a small intellectual riddle hidden within his fantasy narrative.

Country of Origin

All evidence places the origin of “jam tomorrow” squarely in Britain. The book was written and published in London, where Carroll’s works quickly became part of English cultural life. The phrase soon entered British popular and political vocabulary as a shorthand for unfulfilled promises, reflecting the nation’s penchant for literary wit turned idiom. From this English literary soil, “jam tomorrow” spread throughout the English-speaking world.

First Printed Record

The first edition of “Through the Looking-Glass” was released for the Christmas season of 1871, and though the title page often bears the date 1872, records confirm that the book was available to readers by December 1871. The passage containing “jam to-morrow and jam yesterday—but never jam to-day” appears unchanged in all known first editions, making it the earliest definitive record of the phrase. This textual evidence anchors the idiom’s origin in Carroll’s own words.

From Literary Joke to Everyday Idiom

At first, “jam tomorrow” was merely a clever line in a children’s fantasy novel, appreciated for its whimsical absurdity. However, by the early twentieth century, journalists, politicians, and commentators began quoting it as a biting metaphor for empty promises. The phrase gradually lost its connection to Carroll’s story and became an independent expression describing situations where benefits are promised but never delivered. It thus transformed from literary wordplay into a permanent part of the English idiomatic lexicon.

Expansion into Political and Economic Thought

As the phrase matured, its use widened beyond literature and humor. “Jam tomorrow” began appearing in political speeches and editorials to criticize leaders or policies that promised prosperity “tomorrow” but failed to act “today.” Economists also adopted the phrase metaphorically to discuss the problem of deferred consumption—the idea of saving or waiting endlessly for a better future that may never arrive. This dual political and economic usage helped secure the idiom’s place in serious discourse as well as everyday language.

Origin Summary

The evidence is consistent and complete: “Jam tomorrow” was coined by Lewis Carroll in 1871 Britain, born from a witty blend of Latin grammar and playful logic. Its earliest appearance lies in “Through the Looking-Glass,” and from there, it evolved into a global idiom representing eternal postponement and hollow promises. What began as a grammarian’s joke became a universal metaphor for human hope deferred—forever promising sweetness that never comes today.

Variants

• jam tomorrow and jam yesterday — but never jam today
• jam yesterday (used with the full phrase)
• free beer tomorrow (humorous equivalent)

Days, Hope