Jack-on-both-sides, subs. (old).—A neutral: also one who ‘hunts with
the hounds and runs with the hare’; a fence-rider (q.v.).
1594. Nashe, Terrors of the Night, in Works [Grosart, 1885, iii.
252]. Like a craftie jacke a both sides.
1654. Witts Recreations [quoted by Nares]. Reader, John Newter, who
erst plaid, The jack on both sides, here is laid.
1662. Rump Songs, i. 140. Did I a factious covenant, subscribe, Or
turn a jack-on-both-Sides for a tribe?
Jack-out-of-doors, subs. (old).—A vagrant.
1634. Withal, Dict., p. 569. Neque pessimus neque primus: not
altogether jack out of doores, and yet no gentleman.
Jack-out-of-office, subs. (old).—A discharged official: in derision.
1592. Shakspeare, 1 Henry VI, i. 1. But long I will not be
jack-out-of-office.
1606. Rich, Farewell to Militarie Profession [quoted by nares]. For
liberalitie, who was wont to be a principall officer ... is tourned
Jacke out of office, and others appointed to have the custodie.
1611. Davies (of Hereford), Scourge of Folly, in Works [Grosart,
1878, ii. 41]. He’s iacke out of office that John was in it.
Jack-the-painter, subs. (Australian). A much adulterated green tea used
in the bush.
1852. Munday, Our Antipodes, [quoted in ‘Slang, Jargon, & Cant.’].
Another notorious ration tea of the bush is called
jack-the-painter.
Jack-the-slipper, subs. (thieves’). The treadmill. For synonyms see
Wheel of life.
To jack the interim, verb. (thieves’).—To be remanded.
To jack up, verb. (common).—To clinch; to abandon; to chuck; (q.v.);
jacked-up = ruined; done for.
1888. Rolf Boldrewood, Robbery Under Arms, xix. Not but what I’d
had a lot to bear, and took a deal of punishment before he jacked
up.
1889. Answers, 23 March, p. 265, col. 2. When a man jacks up his
work—will not do his tasks that is to say.
Jack Adams, subs. (old).—A fool. For synonyms see Buffle and
Cabbage-head.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v.
1725. New Cant. Dict., s.v. Jack Adams, a fool. Jack Adams’ Parish,
Clerkenwell.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v.
1812. Lex. Bal., s.v.
1883. Clark Russell, Sailor’s Language, s.v.
Jack-a-dandy, subs. (old).—1. A little fop; a coxcomb; a dandiprat
(q.v.): also jack dandy. For synonyms see Dandy.
1632. Brome, Northern Lass, iii. 2. I’ll throw him into the dock
rather than that he shall succeed jack-o-dandy.
1664. Etherege, Comical Revenge, ii. 3, [in Works (1704) 28]. Leave
her, she’s only worth the care Of some spruce jack-a-dandy.
1690. B. E., Dict. Cant. Crew, s.v. Jack-a-dandy, a little
impertinent insignificant Fellow.
1795. R. Cumberland, The Jew, i. ‘And when my monies is all gone,
what shall I be then? An ass, a fool, a jack-a-dandy!’
1823. Bee, Dict. of the Turf., s.v. Jack-o’-dandy ... of Dandy
manners, foolish, proud, and choleric as a turkey or dindon.
1839. Ainsworth, Jack Sheppard, [ed. 1840], p. 141. ‘Because
they’re in the next room, and the door’s shut; that’s vy, my
jack-a-dandy!’ replied Abraham, unsuspiciously.
1881. J. B. Harwood, in Cassell’s Mag., Feb. 164. ‘I take it very
unkind o’ you, Sir, to have gone tempting and luring my hands away
to your own three mills, and be hanged to you for a jack-a-dandy,
there!’