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Jack Robinson

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Before you can say Jack Robinson. Immediately. Grose says that the saying had its birth from a very volatile gentleman of that name, who used to pay flying visits to his neighbours, and was no sooner announced than he was off again; but the following couplet does not confirm this derivation:—

“A warke it ys as easie to be done

As tys to saye Jacke! robys on.”


An old Play, cited by Halliwell: Arch. Dict.

 

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

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VIII. Jack
Jack-a-Dandy
Jack-a-Lantern (A)
Jack-a-napes or Jackanapes = Jack of apes
Jack-Amend-All
Jack Brag
Jack Drum’s Entertainment
Jack Horner
Jack Ketch
Jack Pudding
Jack Robinson
Jack Sprat
Jack Tar
Jack and the Bean Stalk
Jack of all Trades is Master of None
Jack o both Sides
Jack o the Clock
Jack of Dover
Jack of Newbury
Jack o the Bowl
Jack Out of Office