Originally refers to items thrown from ships, typically used in nautical or maritime contexts. The fisherman sorted through the jetsam to find items of value.
Pro Tip 2/3
Not Always Intentional
'Jetsam' can be accidental, not just deliberate discarding to lighten a vessel. After the storm, the shore was littered with jetsam.
Pro Tip 3/3
Legal Distinction
In legal terms, 'jetsam' has specific meaning different from similar terms like flotsam. The coastal management handles the jetsam differently from flotsam.