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Definition or meaning of the English word Jack
A familiar nickname of; or substitute for; John. (n.). A popular colloquial name for a sailor; -- called also Jack tar; and Jack afloat. (n.). An impertinent or silly fellow; a simpleton; a boor; a clown; also; a servant; a rustic. (n.). A machine or contrivance for turning a spit; a smoke jack; or kitchen jack. (n.). A large tree; the Artocarpus integrifolia; common in the East Indies; closely allied to the breadfruit; from which it differs in having its leaves entire. The fruit is of great size; weighing from thirty to forty pounds; and through its soft fibrous matte (n.). A wooden wedge for separating rocks rent by blasting. (n.). A lever for depressing the sinkers which push the loops down on the needles. (n.). A device to pull off boots. (n.). A sawhorse or sawbuck. (n.). A mechanical contrivance; an auxiliary machine; or a subordinate part of a machine; rendering convenient service; and often supplying the place of a boy or attendant who was commonly called Jack (n.). A drinking measure holding half a pint; also; one holding a quarter of a pint. (n.). To move or lift; as a house; by means of a jack or jacks. See Jack. (v. t.). To hunt game at night by means of a jack. See Jack. (v. i.). A pitcher or can of waxed leather; -- called also black jack. (n.). A coarse and cheap mediaeval coat of defense; esp. one made of leather. (n.). The knave of a suit of playing cards. (n.). A flag; containing only the union; without the fly; usually hoisted on a jack staff at the bowsprit cap; -- called also union jack. The American jack is a small blue flag; with a star for each State. (n.). The wall-eyed pike. (n.). A large; California rock fish Sebastodes paucispinus; -- called also boccaccio; and merou. (n.). A young pike; a pickerel. (n.). A machine for twisting the sliver as it leaves the carding machine. (n.). The small bowl used as a mark in the game of bowls. (n.). A portable machine variously constructed; for exerting great pressure; or lifting or moving a heavy body through a small distance. It consists of a lever; screw; rack and pinion; hydraulic press; or any simple combination of mechanical powers; working in (n.). In hunting; the pan or frame holding the fuel of the torch used to attract game at night; also; the light itself. (n.). In the harpsichord; an intermediate piece communicating the action of the key to the quill; -- called also hopper. (n.). A grating to separate and guide the threads; a heck box. (n.). A hood or other device placed over a chimney or vent pipe; to prevent a back draught. (n.). A system of gearing driven by a horse power; for multiplying speed. (n.). A machine for slicking or pebbling leather. (n.). A compact; portable machine for planing metal. (n.). The male of certain animals; as of the ass. (n.). A bar of iron athwart ships at a topgallant masthead; to support a royal mast; and give spread to the royal shrouds; -- called also jack crosstree. (n.).
Translations for the English word Jack
French Translation for the English word Jack is valet[Noun] Spanish Translation for the English word Jack is clavija, para conectar algun aparto elctrotecnico [Noun] German Translation for the English word Jack is Wagenheber (m) Italian Translation for the English word Jack is cric (m.)
Jack Related Proverbs
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. - The meaning of this proverb is A person who never takes time off from work becomes boring and bored.
Jack Related Rhymes
Jack Sprat could eat no fat
His wife could eat no lean
And so betwixt the two of them
They licked the platter clean.. - The origin and or meaning of this proverb is Origin can be found in British History
The Jack alluded to is in fact reputed to be Charles I and Henrietta Maria, his Queen. Apparently, when King Charles declared war on Spain, parliament refused to finance him (leaving him lean!) So his wife imposed an illegal war tax (to get some fat!) after the angered King dissolved Parliament. The first publication date for the lyrics of this nursery rhyme can be traced to 1639.
Jack be nimble
Jack be quick
Jack jump over
The candlestick.. - The origin and or meaning of this proverb is Origin lost in the depths of time?
Unable to trace a commonly agreed upon origin for this particular nursery rhyme however could be connected to Black Jack, a pirate who was notorious for escaping from the authorities in the late 16th century. The words and lyrics of this nursery rhyme cannot be further analysed due to the brevity of the text of the lyrics but could be associated with the old tradition and sport of 'candle leaping' which used to be practised at English fayres.
Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water
Jack fell down and broke his crown
And Jill came tumbling after.
Up got Jack, and home did trot As fast as he could caper
He went to bed and bound his head
With vinegar and brown paper.. - The origin and or meaning of this proverb is French (history) connection!
The roots of this child's nursery rhyme is in France and the Jack and Jill referred to are Louis XVI who was beheaded (lost his crown) followed by his Queen Marie Antoinette (who came tumbling after). The words and lyrics were made more palatable for the nursery by giving it a happy ending and has further been altered by the passage of time - the actual beheadings occurred in 1793. The first publication date for the lyrics of this nursery rhyme is 1795 which tie-in
with the history and origins
This is the house that Jack built!
This is the malt that lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the cat that killed the rat
That ate the malt that lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the cow with the crumpled horn
That tossed the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the maiden all forlorn
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn
That tossed the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the man all tattered and torn
That kissed the maiden all forlorn
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn
That tossed the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the priest all shaven and shorn
That married the man all tattered and torn
That kissed the maiden all forlorn
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn
That tossed the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the cock that crowed in the morn
That waked the priest all shaven and shorn
That married the man all tattered and torn
That kissed the maiden all forlorn
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn
That tossed the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built.
This is the farmer sowing his corn
That kept the cock that crowed in the morn
That waked the priest all shaven and shorn
That married the man all tattered and torn
That kissed the maiden all forlorn
That milked the cow with the crumpled horn
That tossed the dog that worried the cat
That killed the rat that ate the malt
That lay in the house that Jack built!. - The origin and or meaning of this proverb is Origins and history?
The origins and history to the lyrics of this nursery rhyme do not relate to specific people or occasions but merely reflect the everyday characters and lifestyle which could have been found in rural England and date back to the 16th century. The phrase 'This is the house that Jack built!' is now commonly used as a derisory term in describing a poorly constructed residence!
Little Jack Horner sat in the corner
Eating his Christmas pie,
He put in his thumb and pulled out a plum
And said "What a good boy am I!". - The origin and or meaning of this proverb is 16th Century history origins of the nursery rhyme
Little Jack Horner was in fact reputed to be the Steward to the Bishop of Glastonbury. He was sent to King Henry VIII with a Christmas gift of twelve title deeds to manorial estates. Whilst on his way to the King Jack stole the deed to the manor of Mells (this being the real 'plum' of the twelve manors) which was in France. The remaining eleven manors were given to the crown but the manor of Mells became the property of the Horner family! The first publication date for the lyrics to this nursery rhyme is 1725.
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