E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Spinning Jenny.
Jennie is a diminutive and corruption of engine (’ginie). A little engine invented by James Hargreaves, a Lancashire weaver, in 1767. It is usually said that he so called it after his wife and daughter; but the name of his wife was Elizabeth, and he never had a daughter.
