Jiu Jitsu is a peculiar sport/hobby where practitioners are exposed to practices that not all outsiders know or see. The result is funny or alternate names for Jiu Jitsu that are developed within the community and from outsiders looking in. Below is a list of some to the alternate names for Jiu Jitsu that I’ve come across in my Jiu Jitsu journey.
B
Basically Just Judo
A funny play on the acronym BJJ.
Brazilian Judo
In honor of Jiu Jitsu’s roots in Judo.
Buh Jay Jay
Coined by Master Ken from Enter the Dojo Show as a condescending name for BJJ.
C
Capoeira
The other thing from Brazil.
Competitive Guard Pulling
Making fun of the act of pulling guard in Jiu Jitsu.
F
Folding Laundry
Laundry is the Gi that gets folded often with a person in it.
G
Grappling
A good term to encapsulate all of Jiu Jitsu and other styles, “It’s all just grappling.”
H
Hug of War
War of who can out hug who.
Human Chess
To denote that Jiu Jitsu is highly an art of strategy in addition to physical attributes.
I
Involuntary Yoga
Two opponents pitted together trying to twist and contort each other into submission.
J
Jits
Shortened form of Jitsu.
Jitz
Another shortened form of Jitsu. Careful with the use of this one as it can also refer to a certain male secretion.
Joy Jitsu
Often Jiu is auto corrected to Joy on phones.
K
Karate Wrestling
M
Mexican Ground Karate
Coined by Craig Jones and B-Team Jiu Jitsu at their academy in Austin Texas.
Murder Larping
LARP = Live Action Role Playing and Jiu Jitsu is often equated to trying to murder someone.
Murder Yoga
Yoga in the sense that the body is often placed in odd twists and contortions. Murder in the sense two individuals are attempting to disable their opponent rendering them unable to continue resisting.
P
Pajama Party
GI = Pajamas and its a party that everybody is invited to.
Pajama Wrestling
R
Recreational Violence
Most Jiu Jitsu practitioners are hobbyists and if you really think about the art violence is involved.
S
South American Ground Karate
Strangle School
A school where you go to to learn the art of strangulation.
Struggle Snuggle
Jiu Jitsu is a very close contact support often involving forced hugs.
Submission Wrestling
It’s like wrestling, but with submissions.
T
Tactical Hugging
There is lots of hugging in Jiu Jitsu and a skilled player is tactical in how they go about it.
W
Weaponized Hugging
Using hugs as weapons.