Green’s Dictionary of Slang

jigs n.

In phrases

in the jigs (adj.) (also in the blue jigs) [jiggered adj.¹ ]

1. very drunk.

c.1940–5		‘Myles na gCopaleen’ Best of Myles (1968) 231: When the geyser explodes and the brother (home on leave) slips quietly into the jigs, what do I do?
1975		J. Ryan Remembering How We Stood 73: Shortly after departure, the ’plane was struck by lightning. Brendan, who was in the jigs anyhow, reacted in fear-shaken fashion.
1976		H. Leonard Time Was (1981) Act I: He’s in the jigs.
1989		H. Leonard Out After Dark 119: Christ, I’m in the jigs.

2. very frightened.

1956		B. Behan Quare Fellow (1960) Act II: The quare fellow’s got enough on his plate without putting him in the blue jigs altogether.
1976		H. Leonard Time Was (1981) Act I: I musta had got a bad pint ... I’m in the jigs. Me ma ... where’s me ma?

In exclamations