(Vol. vii., p. 326.)
The list of _Jacks_ supplied by your correspondent JOHN JACKSON is amusing
and curious. A few additions towards a complete collection may not be
altogether unacceptable or unworthy of notice.
Supple (usually pronounced souple) _Jack_, a flexible cane; _Jack_ by the
hedge, a plant (_Erysimum cordifolium_); the _jacks_ of a harpsichord;
_jack_, an engine to raise ponderous bodies (Bailey); _Jack_, the male of
birds of sport (Ditto); _Jack_ of Dover, a joint twice dressed (Ditto, from
Chaucer); _jack_ pan, used by barbers (Ditto); _jack_, a frame used by
sawyers. I have also noted _Jack_-Latin, _Jack_-a-nod, but cannot give
their authority or meaning. {623}
The term was very familiar to our older writers. The following to Dodsley's
_Collection of old Plays_ (1st edition, 1744) may assist in explaining its
use:
Vol. I.--Page 45. Jack Strawe.
Page 65. New Jack.
Page 217. Sir Jacke.
Page 232. Jack Fletcher.
Page 263. Jacknapes.
Page 271. Jack Sauce.
Vol. II.--Page 139. Clapper Jack.
Vol. III.--Page 34. Prating Jack.
Page 64. Jack-a-lent.
Page 168. His Jacks.
Page 214. Black Jacks.
Vol. V.--Page 161. Every Jack.
Page 341. Skip-Jack.
Vol. VI.--Page 290. Jack Sauce.
Page 325. Flap-Jacks.
Page 359. Whirling Jacks.
Vol. VIII.--Page 55. Jack Sauce.
Vol. X.--Pages 46. 49. His Jack.
Your correspondent is perhaps aware that Dr. Johnson is disposed to
consider the derivation from _John_ to be an error, and rather refers the
word to the common usage of the French word Jacques (James). His conjecture
seems probable, from many of its applications in this language. _Jacques_,
a jacket, is decidedly French; _Jacques_ de mailles equally so; and the
word _Jacquerie_ embraces all the catalogue of virtues and vices which we
connect with our _Jack_.
On the other hand, _John_, in his integrity, occurs familiarly in _John_
Bull, _John_-a-Nokes, _John_ Doe, _John_ apple, _John_ Doree, Blue _John_,
_John_ Trot, _John's_ Wort, _John_-a-dreams, &c.; and Poor _John_ is found
in Dodsley, vol. viii. pp. 197. 356.