E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Flotsam and Jetson.
Waifs found in the sea or on the shore. “Flotsam,” goods found floating on the sea after a a wreck. “Jetson,” or Jetsam, things thrown out of a ship to lighten it. (Anglo-Saxon, flotan, to float; French, jeter, to throw out.) (See LINGAN.)
