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Dictionary of Phrase and Fable

E. Cobham Brewer From The Edition Of 1894

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the tenth letter of the English alphabet. It is a later variant form of the Roman letter I, used to express a consonantal sound, that is, originally, the sound of English y in yet. The forms J and I have, until a recent time, been classed together, and they have been used interchangeably.

J

(In Punch). The signature of Douglas Jerrold, who first contributed to No. 9 of the series.

J. J

(In Hogarth's Gin Lane, written on a gibbet), is intended for Sir Joseph Jekyll, obnoxious for his bill for increasing the duty on gin.

Jaafer

At the battle of Muta, Jaafer carried the sacred banner of “the Prophet.” One hand being lopped off, he held it with the other; the other being struck off, he embraced it with his two stumps; his head being cleft in twain, he flung himself on the banner staff, and the banner was detained thus till Abdallah seized it and handed it to Khaled. A similar tale is told of Cynægiros q.v.).

Jachin

The parish clerk in Crabbe's Borough.. He appropriated the sacramental money, and died disgraced.

Jachin.

(1.) The fourth son of Simeon (Gen. 46:10), called also Jarib (1 Chr. 4:24).

(2.) The head of one of the courses (the twenty-first) of priests (1 Chr. 24:17).

(3.) One of the priests who returned from the Exile (1 Chr. 9:10). (See Boaz.)

Jack

I. APPLIED TO MEN, but always depreciatingly. (See Tom.) (1) Jack Adams. A fool.

(2) Jack—a—dandy (q.v.).

(3) Jack—a—dreams. A man of inaction, a mere dreamer.

(4) Jack—a—drognes. A good—natured, lazy fool. (Dutch, druilen, to be listless; our drawl. (5) Jack—a—Lent. A half—starved, sheepish booby. Shakespeare says: “You little Jack—a—lent, have you been true to us?” (Merry Wives of Windsor, iii. 3.)

A kind of Aunt Sally which was thrown at in Lent. (See Cleveland's Poems [1660], p. 64.) (6) Jack—a—napes (q.v.).

(7) Jack—at—a—pinch. One who lends a hand in an emergency; an itinerant clergyman who has no cure, but officiates for a fee in any church where his assistance is required.

(8) Jack Brag. (See Brag.)

(9) Jack Fool. More generally, Tom Fool (q.v..

(10) Jack Ketch (q.v.).

(11) Jack—pudding (q.v.).

(12) Jack—sauce. An insolent saucebox, “the worst Jack of the pack.” Fluellen says one who challenges another and refuses to fight is a “Jack—sauce.” (Henry V., iv. 7.)

(13) Jack—snip. A botching tailor.

(14) Jack—slave. “Every Jack—slave hath his belly full of fighting.” (Shakespeare: Cymbeline, ii. 1.)

(15) Jack—sprat (q.v.).

(16) Jack—straw. A peasant rebel.

(17) Jack—tar (q.v.).

(18) Jack—in—office. A conceited official, or upstart, who presumes on his official appointment to give himself airs.

(19) Jack—in—the—green. A chimney—sweep boy in the midst of boughs, on May Day.

(20) Jack—in—the—water. An attendant at the waterman's stairs, etc., willing to wet his feet, if needs be, for a “few coppers.”

(21) Jack—of—all—trades. One who can turn his hand to anything, but excels in nothing.

(22) Jack—of—both—sides. One who tries to favour two antagonistic parties, either from fear or for profit.

(23) Jack—out—of—office. “But long I will not be Jack—out—of—office.” (Shakespeare: 1 Henry VI., i. 1.)

(24) Cheap Jack. (See Cheap.) (25) Jack will never be a gentleman. A mere parvenu will never be like a well—bred gentleman. (26) Every man—Jack of them. All without exception, even the most insignificant.

(27) Remember poor Jack. Throw a copper to the boys paddling about the jetty or pier, or performing tricks under the hope of getting a small bounty.

II. APPLIED TO BOYS WHO ACT THE PART OF MEN. (1) Jack Frost. Frost personified as a mischievous boy. (2) Jack Sprat. Who bears the same relation to a man as a sprat does to a mackerel or herring. (3) Jack and Jill (nursery rhyme). Jill or Gill is a contraction of Julienne or Gillian, a common Norman name. (See Jack, VII.)

(4) Jack and the Bean—stalk (q.v.).

(5) Jack and the Fiddler (q.v.).

(6) Jack of cards. The Knave or boy of the king and queen of the same suit.

(7) Jack the Giant—killer (q.v.).

(8) Glym Jack. A link boy who carries a glym. (German, glimmen. (See Glim.)

(9) Little Jack Horner. (See Jack Horner.)

(10) The house that Jack built (nursery tale).

III. APPLIED TO THE MALES OR INFERIOR ANIMALS: as —

Jack—ass, Jack—baker (a kind of owl), Jack or dog fox, Jack—hare, Jack—hern, Jack—rat, Jack—shark, Jack—snipe; a young pike is called a Jack, so also were the male birds used in falconry.

IV. APPLIED TO INSTRUMENTS which supply the place of or represent inferior men or boys: — (1) A jack. Used instead of a turn—spit boy, generally called Jack.

(2) A jack. Used for lifting heavy weights.

(3) Jack. The figure outside old public clocks made to strike the bell.

“Strike like Jack o'the clock—house, never but in season.” — Strode: Floating Island.

(4) Jack—roll. The cylinder round which the rope of a well coils. (5) Jack—in—the—basket. The cap or basket on the top of a pole to indicate the place of a sandbank at sea, etc.

(6) Jack—in—the—box. A toy consisting of a box out of which, when the lid is raised, a figure springs.

(7) Boot—jack. An instrument for drawing off boots, which used to be done by inferior servants.

(8) Bottle—jack. A machine for lifting the roast instead of a turnspit.

(9) Lifting—jack. A machine for lifting the axle—tree of a carriage when the wheels are cleaned.

(10) Roasting—jack. (See Bottle—jack, 8.)

(11) Smoke—jack. An apparatus in a chimney—flue for turning a spit. It is made to revolve by the upward current of smoke and air.

(12) Jack—chain. A small chain for turning the spit of a smoke—jack.

V. APPLIED TO INFERIOR ARTICLES which bear the same relation to the thing imitated as Jack does to a gentleman.

(1) Jack. A rough stool or wooden horse for sawing timber on.

(2) Jack. A small drinking vessel made of waxed leather.

“Body of me, I am dry still; give me the jack, boy.” — Beaumont and Fletcher: Bloody Brother, ii. 2.

(3) Jack. Inferior kind of armour. (See Jack, No. VIII.) (4) A Jack and a half—jack. Counters resembling a sovereign and a half—sovereign. Used at gaming—tables to make up a show of wealth.

(5) Jack—block. A block attached to the topgallant—tie of a ship.

(6) Jack—boots. Cumbrous boots of tough, thick leather worn by fishermen. Jacks or armour for the legs.

(7) Jack—pan. A vessel used by barbers for heating water for their customers. (8) Jack—plane. A menial plane to do the rough work for finer instruments.

(9) Jack—rafter. A rafter in a hipped roof, shorter than a full—sized one.

(10) Jack—rib. An inferior rib in an arch, being shorter than the rest.

(11) Jack—screw. A large screw rotating in a threaded socket, used for lifting heavy weights. (12) Jack—timbers. Timbers in a building shorter than the rest.

(13) Jack—towel. A coarse, long towel hung on a roller, for the servants' use.

(14) Jack of Dover (q.v.).

(15) Jacket (q.v.).

(16) Black jack. A huge drinking vessel. A Frenchman speaking of it says, “The English drink out of their boots.” (Heywood.

VI. A TERM OF CONTEMPT.

(1) Jack—a—lantern or Jack—o'—lantern, the fool fire (ignis fatuus. (2) Jack—ass. An unmitigated fool.

(3) Jack—at—bowls. The butt of all the players.

(4) Jack—daw. A prating nuisance.

(5) Jack Drum's entertainment (q.v).

(6) Jackey. A monkey.

(7) Skip—jack. A toy, an upstart.

(8) The black jack. The turnip—fly.

(9) The yellow jack. The yellow fever.

VII. USED IN PROVERBIAL PHRASES.

A good Jack makes a good Jill. A good husband makes a good wife, a good master makes a good servant. Jack, a generic name for man, husband, or master; and Gill or Jill, his wife or female servant.

Every Jack shall have his Jill. Every man may find a wife if he likes; or rather, every country rustic shall find a lass to be his mate.

“Jack shall have his Jill,

Nought shall go ill;

The man shall have his mare again, and all shall be well.”

Shakespeare: Midsummer Night's Dream, iii. 2.

To play the Jack. To play the rogue or knave; to deceive or lead astray like Jack—o'—lantern, or ignis fatuus.

“ — your fairy, which you say is a harmless fairy, has done little better than played the Jack with us.” — Shakespeare: Tempest, iv. 1.

To be upon their jacks. To have the advantage over one. The reference is to the coat of mail quilted with stout leather, more recently called a jerkin.

VIII. Jack Armour consisting of a leather surcoat worn over the hauberk, from the fourteenth to the seventeenth century, both inclusive. It was formed by overlapping pieces of steel fastened by one edge upon canvas, coated over with cloth or velvet. In short, it was a surcoat padded with metal to make it sword—proof. These jazerines were worn by the peasantry of the English borders when they journeyed from place to place, and in their skirmishes with moss—troopers.

“Jackes quilted and covered over with leather, fustian, or canvas, over thicke plates of iron that are sowed to the same.” — Lily: Euphues.

Colonel Jack. The hero of Defoe's novel so called. He is a thief who goes to Virginia, and becomes the owner of vast plantations and a family of slavès.

Jack—a—Dandy A term of endearment for a smart, bright little fellow; a Jemmy Jessamy.

“Smart she is, and handy, O !

Sweet as sugar—candy, O ! ... `And I'm her Jack—a—dandy, O !”

Jack—a—dandy. Slang for brandy. Dandy rhymes with brandy. (See Chivy.) In Ireland “dandy” means whisky: but whisky = eau de vie; and eau de vie is brandy.

“Dimidium cyathi vero apud Methropolitanos Herbernicos dicitur Dandy.” — Blackwood's Magazine, May, 1838 (Father Tom and the Pope).

Jack—a—Lantern

(A). A Will—o'—the—wisp, an ignis fatuus.

Jack—a—napes

or Jackanapes = Jack of apes. An impertinent, vulgar prig. (See Jeannot.) More likely, it is Jack and ape, formed on the model of Jack—ass, a stupid fool.

“I will teach a scurvy jackanape priest to meddle or make.” — Shakespeare: Merry Wives of Windsor, i. 4.

Jack—Amend—All

One of the nicknames given to Jack Cade the rebel, who promised to remedy all abuses.

Jack Brag

(See Brag .)

Jack Drum's Entertainment

A beating. (See John Drum's , etc.)

Jack Horner

For solution see Notes and Queries, xvi. 156; xvii. 83. In Latin alcaics, thus:

“Sedens Johannes parvus in angulo

Hornerus edit crustula Christanica;

Et dixit, ut pruna extrahebat

Pollice, `Quam sum ego suavis in fans !”

The Lincoln Herald, Jan. 13, 1832.

Jack Ketch

Although this looks very much like a sobriquet, there seems no sufficient evidence to believe it to be otherwise than a real proper name. We are told that the name Jack was applied to hangmen from Richard Jaquett, to whom the manor of Tyburn once belonged. (See Hangmen.)

Jack Pudding A buffoon who performs pudding tricks, such as swallowing a certain number of yards of

black—pudding. S. Bishop observes that each country names its stage buffon from its favourite viands: The Dutchman calls him Pickel—herringë; the Germans, Hans Wurst (John Sausage); the Frenchman, Jean Potage; the Italian, Macaroni; and the English, Jack Pudding.

Jack Robinson

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.

Jack Sprat

A dwarf; as if sprats were dwarf mackerels. Children, by a similar metaphor, are called small fry.

Jack Tar

A common sailor, whose hands and clothes are tarred by the ship tackling.

Jack and the Bean Stalk

A nursery tale of German invention. The giant is All—Father, whose three treasures are (1) a harp — i.e. the wind; (2) bags full of treasures — i.e. the rain; and (3) the red hen which laid golden eggs — that is, the genial sun. Man avails himself of these treasures and becomes rich.

Jack of all Trades is Master of None

In French, “Tout savoir est ne rien savoir. “

Jack o' both Sides

A supernumerary who plays on both sides to make up a party; one who for profit or policy is quite colourless.

Jack o' the Clock

The figure which comes out to strike the hours on the bell of a clock. A contraction of Jaquemart (q.v.).

“King Richard. Well, but what's o'clock?

Buckingham. Upon the stroke of ten.

K. R. Well, let it strike.

R. Why let it strike?

K. R. Because that, like a jack, thou keep's the stroke

Betwixt thy begging and my mediation.”

Shakespeare: Richard III., iv. 2.

Jack of Dover

A stockfish, “hake salted and dried.” The Latin for a hake is merlucius, and lucius is a jack or pike. Mer, of course, means the sea, and Dover, the chief Clinque Port, is used as a synonym. Also refuse wine collected into a bottle and sold for fresh wine. “To do—over again.” (See Dover.)

“Many a Jack of Dover hastow sold

That hath been twyes hot and twyes cold.”

Chaucer: Canterbury Tales.

Jack of Newbury

John Winchcomb, the greatest clothier of the world, in the reign of Henry VIII. He kept 100 looms in his own house at Newbury, and equipped at his own expense 100 of his men to aid the king against the Scotch in Flodden Field.

Jack o' the Bowl The most famous brownie or house—spirit of Switzerland; so called from the custom of placing for him every night on the roof of the cow—house a bowl of fresh sweet cream. The contents of this bowl are sure to disappear before morning.

Jack Out of Office

One no longer in office.

“I am left out; for me nothing remains.

But long I will not be Jack—out—of—office”

Shakespeare: 1 Henry VI., I. I.

Jack the Giant—killer

owed much of his success to his four marvellous possessions — an invisible coat, a cap of wisdom, shoes of swiftness, and a resistless sword. When he put on his coat no eye could see him; when he had his shoes on no one could overtake him; his sword would cut through everything; and when his cap was on he knew everything he required to know. Yonge says the story is based on the Scandinavian tale of Thor and Loki, while Masson maintains it to be a nursery version of the feats of Corineus in Geoffrey of Monmouth's marvellous history. I apprehend that neither of these suggestions will find many supporters.

Military success depends (1) on an invisible coat, or secrecy, not letting the foe know your plans; (2) a cap of wisdom, or wise counsel; (3) shoes of swiftness, or attacking the foe before he is prepared; and (4) a resistless sword, or dauntless courage.

Jack the Ripper

An unknown person who so called himself, and committed a series of murders in the East End of London on common prostitutes.

The first was April 2nd, 1888: the next was August 7th; the third was August 31st; the fourth was September 8th; the fifth was September 30th, when two women were murdered; the sixth was November 9th; the seventh was December 20th, in a builder's yard; the eight was July 17th 1889, at Whitechapel; the ninth was September 17th.

Jack

and James. Jewish, Jacob; French, Jacques, our “Jack,” and Jacquemes, our “James.” Jacques used to be the commonest name of France, hence the insurrection of the common people was termed the insurrection of the Jacques, or the Jacquerie; and a rustic used to be called a Jacques bon homme. The Scotch call Jack Jock.

Jackal

A toady. One who does the dirty work of another. It was once thought that the jackals hunted in troops to provide the lion with prey, hence they were called the “lion's providers.” No doubt the lion will at times avail himself of the jackal's assistance by appropriating prey started by these “hunters,” but it would be folly to suppose that the jackal acted on the principle of vos non vobis. (See Honeycomb.)

Jacket

The French jaquette, “little jack,” a translation of the German Hanseline, a slop cut short.

Jacket. The skin of a potato. Potatoes brought to table unpeeled are said to be “with their jackets on.” To dust one's jacket. (See Dust.)

Jackson

Stonewall Jackson general in the Confederate Army during the Civil War whose troops at the first Battle of Bull Run stood like a stone wall

Jacksonian Professor

The professor of natural and experimental philosophy in the University of Cambridge. This professorship was founded in 1783 by the Rev. Richard Jackson.

Jacob the Scourge of Grammar

Giles Jacob, master of Romsey, in Hampshire, brought up for an attorney. A poetaster (an inferior rhymer) in the time of Pope. (See Dunciad, iii.)

Jacob's Ladder

A ladder seen by the patriarch Jacob in a vision. It was set on the earth, and reached to heaven, and angels seemed to be ascending and descending on it (Gen. xxviii. 12). Jacob is, on this account, a cant name for a ladder. There is a pretty blue flower so called.

Jacob's Staff An instrument for taking heights and distances.

“Reach then a soaring quill, that I may write

As with a Jacoh's staff to take her height.”

Cleveland: The Hecatomb to his Mistress.

The Apostle James is usually represented with a staff.

“As he had travelled many a summer's day

Through boiling sands of Arabie and You;

And in his hand a Jacob 8 staff to stay

His weary limbs upon.”

Spenser: Faërie Queene, book i. can to vi. 32—35.

Jacob's Stone

The stone inclosed in the coronation chair of Great Britain, brought from Scone by Edward I., and said to be the stone on which the patriarch Jacob laid his head when he dreamt about the ladder referred to above.

This stone was originally used in Ireland as a coronation stone. It was called “Innisfail,” or Stone of Destiny. (See Coronation Chair.)

Jacobins

The Dominicans were so called in France from the “Rue St. Jacques,” Paris, where they first established themselves in 1219.

Jacobins. A political club, originally called the Club Breton, formed at Versailles in 1789. On their removal to Paris, they met in the hall of an exconvent of Jacobins (see above), in the Rue St. Honoré

Jacobites

(3 syl.). The partisans of James II. (when William III. superseded him), his son, and grandson.

Jacobites, nicknamed Warming—pans. It is said that Mary d'Este, the wife of James II., never had a living child, but that on one occasion a child, introduced to her bedroom in a warming—pan, was substituted for her dead infant. This “warming—pan child” was the Pretender. Such is the tale, the truth is quite another matter.

Jacobites. An Oriental sect of Monophysites, so called from Jacobus Baradæus (Jacoub Al—Baradei), Bishop of Edessa, in Syria, in the sixth century.

Jacobus

A gold coin of the value of 25s., struck in the reign of James I.

Jacquard Loom

So called from Jos. Marie Jacquard, of Lyons, who invented this ingenious device for weaving figures upon silks and muslins. (1752—1834.)

Jacqueline

(of Paris). A bell weighing 15,000 lbs., cast in 1400.

Jacquerie

(La). An insurrection of the peasantry of France in 1358, excited by the oppressious of the privileged classes and Charles the Bad of Navarre, while King Jean was a prisoner in England. When the peasants complained, and asked who was to redress their grievances, they were told in scorn Jacques Bonhomme (Johnny Goodman), i.e. no one. At length a leader appeared, called himself Jacques Bonhomme, and declared war to the death against every gentleman in France. In six weeks some 12,000 of these insurgents were cut down, and amongst their number was the leader himself. (See Jack, Jacques.)

Jacques

A generic name for the poor artisan class in France. Jacques is a sort of cotton waistcoat without sleeves.

“Jacques, il me faut troubler ton somme;

Dans le village, un gros huissier

Röde et court, suivi du messier:

Cest pour I impôt, las! mon pauvre homme.

Löve—toi, Jacques, leve—toi,

Voici venir l'huissier du roi.”

Beranger (1831).

Pauvre Jacques. Said to a maiden when she is lackadaisical (French). Marie Antoinette had at the Little Trianon an artificial Swiss village, which she called her “Petite Suisse, ” and actually sent to Switzerland for a peasant girl to assist in milking the cows. The Swiss maiden was one day overheard sighing for “Pauvre Jacques, ” and the queen sent for the distant and had the lovers married. To finish this absurd romance, the Marchioness de Travanet wrote an ode on the event, which was for a time wonderfully popular.

“Pauvre Jacques, quand j'etais prés de toi,

Je ne sentais pas ma misere:

Mais a présent que tu vis loin de mol.

Je manque de tout sur la terre.”

Marquise de Travanet.

Jacques Bonhomme

A sort of fairy good—luck, who is to redress all wrongs, and make all the poor wealthy. The French peasants are so called sometimes, and then the phrase is like our term of sneering pity, “my good fellow,” or “my fine fellow.” (See Jacques.)

Jactitation of Marriage

A false assertion by a person of being married to another. This is actionable.

Jade

or The Divine Stone. Worn by the Indians as an amulet to preserve them from the bite of venomous animals, and to cure the gravel, epilepsy, etc. (Hill.)

“The conversation was interspersed by continual cups of tea drunk out of the most beautiful Chinese—ware, while the Ambar's cup was of a green jade.” — Bonvalot: Across Thibet, chap.

x.p. 252.

Jade

A worthless horse. An old woman (used in contempt). A young woman (not necessarily contemptuous).

Jaffler

(3 syl.), in Venice Preserved, a tragedy by Otway. He joins the conspiracy of Pierre against the Venetian state, but communicates the secret to his wife Belvidera. Belvidera, being the daughter of a senator, is naturally anxious to save the life of Priuli, her father, and accordingly induces her husband to disclose the plot, under promise of pardon to all the conspirators. The plot being revealed, the senate condemned the conspirators to death; whereupon Jaffier stabbed Pierre to prevent his being broken on the wheel, and then stabbed himself.

Jagger

A gentleman; a sportsman. (German, jager, a sportsman.)

Jail—bird

(A). One who has been in jail as a prisoner.

“At this late period of Christianity we are brought up to abhor jail—birds as we do toads.” — Beecher: The Plymouth Pulpit, August 30th, 1874, vol. ii. 557.

Jamambuxes

[Soldiers of the round valleys ]. Certain fanatics of Japan, who roam about and pretend to hold converse with the Devil. They scourge themselves severely, and sometimes refrain from sleeping for several days, in order to obtain the odour of sanctity. They are employed by the people for the discovery of articles stolen or lost.

Jambon

A gun, so called from its fanciful resemblance to a “betterave" or jambon. The botanical name of the root is melochia.

“What would you do to me, brigand? ... Give me fifty blows of a matraque, as your officer gave you last week for stealing his jambon?” — Ouida: Under Two Flays, chap. xvi.

Jambuscha

[Jam—bus—cah ]. Adam's preceptor, according to the pre—Adamites. Sometimes called Boan, and sometime Zagtith.

James

A sovereign; a jacobus. A gold coin circulated in the reign of James I. Worth about 25s.

James (St.). Patron saint of Spain. At Padron, near Compostella, they used to show a huge stone as the veritable boat in which the apostle sailed from Palestine. His body was discovered in 840 by divine revelation to Bishop Theodomirus, and King Alfonso built a church at Compostelia for its shrine. According to another legend, it was the relics of St. James that were miraculously conveyed to Spain in a ship of marble from Jerusalem, where he was bishop. A knight saw the ship sailing into port, his horse took fright, and plunged with its rider into the sea. The knight saved himself by “boarding the marble vessel,” but his clothes were found to be entirely covered with scallop shells.

In the Acta Sanctorum (xi. 37, etc.) we are told, that in Clavigium scarcely a stone is found which does not bear the form of a shell; and if these stones are broken up, the broken bits have also the forms of shells.

In Christian art this saint has sometimes the sword by which he was beheaded, and sometimes he is attired as a pilgrim, with his cloak covered with shells. (See above.)

St. James (the Less) . His attribute is a fuller's club, in allusion to the instrument by which he was put to death, after having been precipitated from the summit of the temple.

St. James's College. So called from James I., who granted a charter to a college founded at Chelsea by Dr. Sutcliffe, Dean of Exeter, to maintain priests to answer all adversaries of religion. Laud nicknamed it

“Controversy College.” The college was a failure, and Charles II. gave the site to the Royal Society, who sold it for the purpose of erecting the Royal Hospital for Old Soldiers, which now exists.

St. James's Day. July 25th, the day of his martyrdom.

The Court of St. James or St. James's The British court. Queen Victoria holds her drawing—rooms and levés in St. James's Palace. Pall Mall; but Queen Anne, the four Georges, and William IV. resided in this palace.

Jamie

or Jemmie Duffs. Weepers. So called from a noted Scotchman of the 18th century, who lived at Edinburgh. His great passion, like that of “Old Q.,” was to follow funerals in mourning costume, with orthodox weepers. I myself know a gentleman of a similar morbid passion. (Kay: Original Portraits, i. 7, and ii. 9, 17, 95.)

Jamshid'

King of the Genii, famous for a golden cup full of the elixir of life. This cup, hidden by the genii, was discovered while digging the foundations of Persepolis.

“I know too where the genii hid

The jewelled cup of their king Jamshid,

With life's elixir sparkling high.”

Thomas Moore: Paradise and the Peri.

Jane

A Genoese halfpenny, a corruption of Januensis or Genoensis.

“Because I could not give her many a jane.”

Spenser: Fuërie Queene, book iii. canto vii. 58.

Jane. A most ill—starred name for rulers. To give a few examples: Lady Jane Grey, beheaded by Mary for treason; Jane Seymour; Jane or Joan Beaufort, wife or James I. of Scotland, who was infamously and savagely murdered; Jane of Burgundy, wife of Philippe le Long, who imprisoned her for adultery in 1314; Jane of Flanders, who was in ceaseless war with Jane of Penthièvre after the captivity of their husbands. This contest is known in history as “the wars of the two Janes” (fourteenth century). Jane of France (de Valois), wife of Louis XII., who repudiated her for being ugly; Jane d' Albret, mother of Henri IV. of France. Being invited to Paris to attend the espousals of her son with Margaret de Valois, she was poisoned by Catharine de' Medicis (1572); Jane, Countess of Hainault, daughter of Baldwin, and wife of Fernand of Portugal, who was made prisoner at the battle of Bouvines in 1214. She refused to ransom him, and is thought to have poisoned her father; Jane Henriquez, wife of John II. of Navarre, stirred up war between her husband and his son Carlos by a former marriage, and ultimately made away with the young prince, a proceeding which caused a revolt of the Catalonians (1462); Jane the Imbecile of Castile, who lost her reason from grief at the neglect of her husband, Philip the Handsome, Archduke of Austria; Jane I. of Naples married Andrew of Hungary, whom she caused to be murdered, and then married the assassin. Her reign was most disastrous. La Harpe has a tragedy entitled Jeanne de Naples; Jane II. of Naples, a woman of most scandalous character, guilty of every sort of wantonness. She married James, Count of March, who put to death her lovers and imprisoned Jane for two years. At her release James fled to France, when Jane had a liaison with Caraccioli, whom she murdered. Joan, the pope, if indeed such a person ever existed. Jeanne la Pucelle [Joan of Arc] cannot be called a ruler, but her lot was not more happy; etc. etc. (See John Two.)

Jane Eyre

The heroine in a novel of the same name, by Currer Bell ((q.v.).

Janissaries

or Janizaries, a celebrated militia of the Ottoman Empire, raised by Orchan in 1326, and called the Yengi—tscheri (new corps). It was blessed by Hadji Bektash, a saint, who cut off a sleeve of his fur mantle and gave it to the captain. The captain put the sleeve on his head, and from this circumstance arose the fur cap worn by these foot—guards. In 1826, having become too formidable to the state, they were abolished.

“There were two classes of Janizaries, one regularly organised ... and the other composing an irregular militia.' — Chambers: Encyclopædia, vol. vi. p. 279.

Jannes

and Jambres. The two magicians of Pharaoh, who imitated some of the miracles of Moses. The Jannes and Jambres who “withstood Moses,” mentioned by St. Paul (2 Tim. iii. 8, 9), are supposed to be the same. The paraphrast Jonathan says they were the sons of Balaam.

Jansenists

A sect of Christians, who held the doctrines of Cornelius Jansen, Bishop of Ypres, in France. Jansen professed to have formulated the teaching of Augustine, A.D. 1640, which resembled Calvinism in many respects. He taught the doctrines of “irresistible grace,” “original sin,” and the “utter helplessness of the natural man to turn to God.” Louis XIV. took part against them, and they were put down by Pope Clement

XI., in 1705, in the famous bull called Unigenitus (q.v.).

Januarius

(St.). A martyr in 305. Two vials of his blood are preserved in the cathedral at Naples, and every year on September 19 (the day of his martyrdom) the blood liquefies.

Order of St. Januarius (patron saint of Naples), instituted in 1738 by Infante don Carlos.

January

The month dedicated by the Romans to Janus (q.v.). Janus had two faces, and January could look back to the year past, and forwards to the current year.

Janus

The temple of peace, in Rome. The doors were thrown open in times of war and closed in times of peace. Some think the two faces of this mythical deity allegorise Noah and his sons, who look back on the world before the Flood, and forwards on the world after the deluge had abated. This idea will do very well in poetry.

“Slavery was the hinge on which the gates of the temple of Janus turned” (in the American war). — The Times.

Japanese

(3 syl.). The language of Japan, a native of Japan, anything pertaining thereto.

Japheth's Stone

According to tradition, Noah gave Japheth a stone which the Turks call giudëtasch and senkjedë. Whoever possesses this stone has the power of bringing rain from heaven at will. It was for a long

time preserved by the Moguls.

Japhetidie

The supposed posterity of Japheth, son of Noah. The Aryan family is said to belong to this race.

“The Indo—European family of languages as known by various designations. Some style it Japhetic, as if it appertained to the descendants of the patriarch Japheth; as the Semitic tongues [appertain] to the descendants of Shem.” — Whitney: Languages, etc., lecture v. p. 192.

Jaquemart

The automaton of a clock, consisting of a man and woman who strike the hours on a bell. So called from Jean Jaquemart of Dijon, a clock maker, who devised this piece of mechanism.

Jacques

(1 syl.). A morose cynical moraliser in Shakespeare's As You Like It. It is much disputed whether the word is a monosyllable or not. Charles Lamb makes it a dissyllable — “Where Jaquës fed in solitary vein;” but Sir Walter Scott uses it as a monosyllable — “Whom humorous Jacques with envy viewed.”

Jarkman

An Abram—man (q.v.). Jark means a seal, whence also a safe—conduct. Abram—men were licensed beggars, who had the “seal” or licence of the Bethlehem Hospital to beg.

Jarnac

Coup de Jarnac. A peculiar stroke of the sword by which the opponent is ham—strung. `The allusion is to the duel between Jarnac and La Châteigneraie,on July 10th, 1547, in the presence of Henri II., when Jarnac dealt his adversary such a blow, from which he died.

Jarndyce

v. Jarndyce. An interminable Chancery suit in Dickens's Bleak House. The character of Jarndyce is that of a kind—hearted, easy fellow, who is half ashamed that his left hand should know what his right hand gives.

Jarvey

A hackney—coach driver. Said to be a contraction of Geoffrey; and the reason why this name was selected was because coachmen say to their horses gee—o, and Ge—o' is a contraction of Geoffrey. Ballantine says, that one Jarvis, a noted hackney—coachman who was hanged, was the original Jarvey.

A Jarvey's benjamin. A coachman's great—coat. (See Benjamin.)

Jarvie

(Baillie Nicol). A Glasgow magistrate in Scott's Rob Roy. He is petulant, conceited, purse—proud, without tact, and intensely prejudiced, but sincere and kind—hearted.

Jaundice

(2 syl.) A jaundiced eye. A prejudiced eye which sees “faults that are not.” It was a popular belief among the Romans that to the eye of a person who had the jaundice everything looked of a yellow tinge.

(French, jaune, yellow.)

“All seems infected that thinfected spy,

As all seems yellow to the jaundiced eye.”

Pope: Essay on Criticism.

Javan

[clay ]. Son of Japheth. In most Eastern languages it is the collective name of the Greeks, and is to be so understood in Isa. lxvi. 19, and Ezek. xxvii. 13.

In the World Before the Flood, by James Montgomery, Javan is the hero. On the day of his birth his father died, and Javan remained in the “patriarch's glen” under his mother's care, till she also died. Then he resolved to see the world, and sojourned for ten years with the race of Cain, where he became the disciple of Jubal, noted for his musical talents. At the expiration of that time he returned, penitent, to the patriarch's glen, where Zillah, daughter of Enoch, “won the heart to Heaven denied.” The giants invaded the glen, and carried off the little band captives. Enoch reproved the giants, who would have slain him in their fury, but they could not find him, “for he walked with God.” As he ascended through the air his mantle fell on Javan, who, “smiting with it as he moved along,” brought the captives safely back to the glen again. A tempest broke forth of so fearful a nature that the giant army fled in a panic, and their king was slain by some treacherous blow given by some unknown hand.

Javanese

(3 syl.). A native of Java, anything pertaining to Java.

Javert

An officer of police, the impersonation of inexorable law in Les Misérables, by Victor Hugo.

Jaw

Words of complaint; wrangling, abuse, jabber. “To jaw,” to annoy with words, to jabber, wrangle, or abuse. The French gueule and gueuler are used in the same manner.

Hold your jaw. Hold your tongue or jabber. What are you jawing about? What are you jabbering or wrangling about? A break—jaw word. A very long word, or one hard to pronounce.

Ja—wab

The refusal of an offer of marriage. Thus when one lady says to another that “Mr. A. B. has got his jawab,” she means that he made her an offer of marriage, but was refused. (Calcutta slang.)

Jawbone

(2 syl.). Credit, promises. (Jaw, words or talk; bon, good.)

Jay

(A). A wanton.

“This jay of Italy ... hath betrayed him.” — Shakespeare: Othello, v. 2.

Jay

A plunger; one who spends his money recklessly; a simpleton. This is simply the letter J, the initial letter of Juggins, who, in 1887, made a fool of himself by losses on the turf.

Jazey

A wig; a corruption of Jersey, and so called because they are made of Jersey flax and fine wool.

Je Maintiendrai

(I will maintain). The motto of the House of Nassau. When William III. came to England he retained the motto, but added to it, “I will maintain the liberties of England and the Protestant religion. “

Je ne Sais Quoi

An indescribable something; as “There was a je ne sais quoi about him which made us dislike him at first sight.”

Jeames

(1 syl.). Any flunkey. Sometimes the Morning Post is so called. Thackeray wrote Jeames's Diary (published in Punch, of which Jeames de la Pluche was the hero.

Jean Crapaud

A Frenchman. A Frenchman is called both a toad and a frog. (See Crapaud.)

Jean Farine

[Jack Flour ]. A sort of Scaramouch, generally very tall, and representing a loutish boy dressed all in white, the hair, face, and hands being covered with flour.

“Jean Farine s'en fervient (du manteau d'un gentilhomme Gascon) un bonnet; et a le voir blanchastre, il semble qu'il soit desja enfarine.” — Les Jeux de l'Inconnu (1645).

Jean de Lettre

(Mr. Jenkins). “Qui pour l'ordinaire, dit Tallemant, est un animal mal idoine à toute autre chose.” (Mme. Deshoulières: Historiettes, ix. 209, x. 82.)

Jean de la Suie

(French). A Savoyard.

Jean de la Vigne

(French). A crucifix.

Jean des Vignes

(French). So the jonglers call the poupée to which they address themselves. The French Protestants in the sixteenth century called “the host” Jean, and the word is pretty well synonymous with buffoon. Jean des Vignes was a drunken marionette performer of considerable ability; “Jean” was his name, “des Vignes” his sobriquet. Hence when a person does a bad action, the French say, “Il fait comme Jean des Vignes;” an illicit marriage is called “le marriage de Jean des Vignes.” and a bad fellow is “un Jean des Vignes.” Hence Assoucy says, “Moi, pauvre sot, plus sot que Jean des Vignes!”

“Jean! que dire sur Jean? c'est un terrible nom,

Qui jamais n'accompagne une epithete honnête Jean des Vignes, Jean ligne. Ou vais—je?

Trouves bon

Qu'en si beau chemin je m'arrête.”

Virgile Travesti, vii. (Juno to Æneas).

Jeannot

(French). One who is minutely great; one who exercises his talents and ingenuity on trifles; one who after great preparation at table to produce some mighty effect, brings forth only a ridiculous mouse.

Jebusites

(3 syl.), in Dryden's satire of Absalom and Achitophel, stands for the Roman Catholics; so called because England was Roman Catholic before the Reformation, and Jerusalem was called Jebus before the time of David.

In this poem, the Jebusites are the Catholics, and the Levites the dissenting clergy.

“Succeeding times did equal folly call,

Believing nothing, or believing all.

The Egyptian rites the Jebusites embraced,

When gods were recommended by their taste.” [Transubstantiation.]

Dryden: Abenium and Achitophel, Part i. 117—123.

Jedwood Justice

Putting an obnoxious person to death first, and trying him afterwards. This sort of justice was dealt to moss—troopers. Same as Jedburgh justice, Jeddart justice. We have also “Cupar justice” and

“Abingdon law.” Of the last we are told that Major—General Brown, in the Commonwealth, hanged a man first and tried him afterwards.

“Jedwood justice — hang in haste and try at leisure.” — Scott: Fair Maid of Perth, chap. xxxii.

Jehennam

The Gehenna or Inferno of the Arabs. It consists of seven stages, one below the other. The first is allotted to atheists; the second to Manicheans (q.v.); the third to the Brahmins of India; the fourth to the Jews; the fifth to Christians; the sixth to the Magians or Ghebers of Persia; and the seventh to hypocrites. (The Koran.)

Jehovistic

Relating to Elohim as a name of God; -- said of passages in the Old Testament.

Jehu

A coachman, especially one who drives at a rattling pace.

“The watchman told, saying, ... The driving is like the driving of Jehu the son of Nimshi; for he driveth furiously.” — 2 Kings ix. 20.

Jejune

(2 syl.). A jejune narrative. A dry, tedious one. (Latin, jejunus, dry, spiritless.)

“Till farce itself, most mournfully jejune,

Calls for the kind assistance of a tune.”

Sowper: Retirement, 711.

Jekyll

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The two phases of one man, “the law of his members warring against the law of his mind.” Jekyll is the “would do good,” Hyde is “the evil that is present.” (Stevenson: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.)

Jelly Pardons

When Thomas Cromwell was a clerk in the English factory at Antwerp, two of his fellow—countrymen from Boston (Lincolnshire) consulted with him as to the best means of getting the pardons renewed for the repair of Boston harbour. Cromwell knowing that Pope Julius was very fond of dainties, provided for him some exquisite jelly, and told his Holiness that only royalty ever ate it in England. The Pope was so pleased with the delicacy that he signed the pardons, on condition of having the recipe of the jelly.

Jellyby

(Mrs.). A philanthropist who would spend and be spent to help the poor fan—makers and flower—girls of Borrioboolah Gha, but would bundle into the street a poor beggar dying of starvation on her own doorstep. (Dickens: Bleak House.)

Jemmie Duffs

Jemmie, or Jamie Duffs. Weepers. So called from a noted Scot of the 18th century, who lived at Edinburgh. His great passion, like that of "Old Q.," was to follow funerals in mourning costume, with orthodox weepers. I myself know a gentleman of a similar morbid passion.
(Kay: Original Portraits, i. 7, and ii. 9, 17, 95.)

Jemmy

a name found in engravings of the eighteenth century, was James Worsdale, the painter and dramatic writer (died 1767).

A housebreaker's crowbar. A variant of Jimmy, Jenny, Jinnie, and a diminutive of engine. Similarly a “spinning—jinnie” is a small engine for spinning. These crowbars generally take to pieces that they may be

slipped into the pocket.

Jemmy

The head of a slaughtered sheep. There are “boiled jemmies,” “baked jemmies,” and “sanguinary jemmies” (raw sheep's heads). The tradition is that James IV. of Scotland breakfasted on a sheep's head just before the battle of Flodden Field (Sep. 9, 1513).

“Mr. Sikes made many pleasant witticisms on jemmies, a cant name for sheep's heads, and also for an ingenious implement much used in his profession.” — Dickens: Oliver Twist.

Jemmy

A great—coat. So called from the Scotch cloth called jemmy.

Jemmy

Spruce, fine. A diminutive of gim, spruce or smart (Anglo—Saxon gemei). Gimcrack means an ornamental toy, a pretty ornament of no solidity. (See below, Jemmy Jessamy.)

Jemmy Dawson

was one of the Manchester rebels, who was hanged, drawn, and quartered on Kennington Common, Surrey, July 30th, 1746. A lady of gentle blood was in love with the gallant young rebel, and died of a broken heart on the day of his execution. (Percy's Reliques, series 2, book iii. 26.) Shenstone has a ballad on it, beginning, “Come, listen to my mournful tale.”

Jemmy Jessamy

(A). A Jack—a—dandy; a lady's foundling, “sweet as sugar—candy.”

Jenkinson

(Ephraim). A swindling rascal, who makes a tool of Dr. Primrose. (Goldsmith: Vicar of Wakefield.)

Jennet

A small Spanish horse.

Jenny

The spinning jenny means the little spinning engine. The word is a corrupt diminutive, ginie. It is an error to derive the word from the inventor's wife or daughter, seeing his wife's name was Elizabeth, and he had no daughter.

Jenny l'Ouvrieere

A generic name for a hard—working, poor, but contented needlewoman. The name was devised by Emile Barateau, and rendered popular by his song so called.

“Entendez—vous un oiseau familier?

C'est le chanteur de Jenny l'Ouvriere.

Au coeur content, content de peu

Elle pourrait être riche, et prefere

Ce qui vient de Dieu.” (1847.)

Jenny Wren

the sweetheart of Robin Redbreast.

“Robin promised Jenny, if she would be his wife, she should `feed on cherry—pie and drink currant—wine'; and he says: —

`Ill dress you like a goldfinch,

Or any peacock gay;

So, dearest Jen, if you'll be mine,

Let us appoint the day.'

Jenny replies : —

`Cherry—pie is very nice,

And so is current wine;

But I must wear my plain brown gown,

And never go too fine.”'

Jeofail

i.e. J'ai failli (Lapsus sum I have failed), an omission or oversight in a law proceeding. There are several statutes of Jeofail for the remedy of ship or mistakes.

Jeopardy

(3 syl.). Hazard, danger Tyrwhitt says it is the French jeu part and Froissart uses the phrase, “Si nous les voyons à jeu parti ” (vol. i. c. 234). Jeu parti is a game where the chances are exactly balanced, hence a critical state.

Jereed

A javelin with which the Easterns exercise. (Turkish and Arabic.)

Jeremiad

(4 syl.). A pitiful tale a tale of woe to produce compassion; so called from the “Lamentations” of the prophet Jeremiah.

Jeremiah

derived from “Cucumber.” The joke is this: King Jeremiah = Jere'—king, contracted in Jer'—kin', or gher—kin, and gherkin is a young cucumber.

The British Jeremiah. Gibbon so calls Gildas, author of Lamentations over the Destruction of Britain (516—570).

Jeremy Diddler

An adept at raising money on false pretences. From Kenny's farce called Raising the Wind.

Jeremy Twitcher

A cunning, treacherous highwayman, in Gay's Beggar's Opera. Lord Sandwich, a member of the New Kit Kat Club, was so called in 1765.

Jericho

Gone to Jericho. No one knows where. The manor of Blackmore, near Chelmsford, was called Jericho, and was one of the houses of pleasure of Henry VIII. When this lascivious prince had a mind to be lost in the embraces of his courtesans, the cant phrase among his courtiers was “He is gone to Jericho.” Hence, a place of concealment.

Go to Jericho with you. I wish he had been at Jericho. A euphemistic turn of phrase for “Go and hang yourself,” or something more offensive still. This saying is derived from 2 Sam. x. 5 and 1 Chron, xix. 5.

“And the king said, Tarry at Jericho until your beards be grown.”

I wish you were at Jericho. Anywhere out of my way. (See above.

Jerked

[beef], a corruption of the Peruvian word charqui, meat cut into strips and dried in the sun to preserve it. (See Mayne Reid's novels.)

Jerkin

A short coat or jacket; a close waistcoat.

“Mistress line, is not this my jerkin? Now is the jerkin under the line.” — Shakespeare: The Tempest, iv. 1.

Jeroboam of Rum or Claret

(A). Eight bottles; but of whisky three pints. Probably a perversion of “joram.” (See Tappit—Hen and Rehoboam.)

“Some `jeroboams' of very old rum went at each; several `tappit—hens, of rum fetched and some `magnums,' 17s. each.” — Truth, 31st March, 1887.

A magnum = 2 quart bottles; a tappithen = 2 magnums; a jeroboam = 2 tappit—hens; and a rehoboam = 2 jeroboams or 16 quart bottles.

Jerome

(St.). Generally represented as an aged man in a cardinal's dress, writing or studying, with a lion seated beside him. The best painting of this saint is The Communion of St. Jerome, by Domenichino, in the Vatican. It is placed opposite Raphael's Transfiguration.

Jeronimo

The chief character in the Spanish Tragedy by Thomas Kyd. On finding his application to the king

ill—timed, he says to himself, “Go by, Jeronimo,” which tickled the fancy of the audience so that it became for a time the current street jest.

Jerry—built

unsubstantial. A “jerry—builder” is a speculative builder who runs up cheap, unsubstantial houses, using materials of the commonest kind. (See Jury Mast.)

Jerry—shop

or a Tom and Jerry Shop. A low—class beer—house. Probably the Tom and Jerry was a public—house sign when Pierce Egan's Life in London was popular.

Jerry Sneak

A henpecked husband, from a celebrated character in Foote's farce of the Mayor of Garratt.

Jerrymander

asGerrymander an act of gerrymandering - dividing a voting area so as to give your own party an unfair advantage.

To divide unfairly and to one's advantage.

Jersey

is Caesar's—ey — i.e. Caesar's island. so called in honour of Julius Caesar.

Jerusalem

in Dryden's satire of Absalom and Achitophel, means London. (Part i. verse 86, etc.)

Jerusalem Artichoke A corruption of Girasolë articiocco. Girasole is the sunflower, which this vegetable resembles both in leaf and stem.

Jerusalem Chamber

The Chapter—house of Westminster Abbey. Henry IV. died there, March 20, 1413.

“It hath been prophesied to me many years,

I should not die but in Jerusalem.”

Shakespeare: 2 Henry IV., iv. 5.

Pope Silvester II. was told the same thing, and he died as he was saying mass in a church so called. (Bacon: Tusculum.)

The Lower House of Convocation now meets in the Jerusalem Chamber. The Upper House meets at Mr. Hodgson's, in Dean's Yard, Westminster.

Jerusalem Delivered

An epic in twenty books, by Torquato Tasso (1544—1595). The crusaders, encamped on the plains of Tortosa, chose Godfrey for their chief, and Alandine, King of Jerusalem, made preparations of defence. The overtures of Argantes to Godfrey being declined, he declared war in the name of the king of Egypt. The Christian army having reached Jerusalem, the king of Damascus sent Armida to beguile the Christians; she told an artful tale by which she drew off several of the most puissant. It was found that Jerusalem could never be taken without the aid of Rinaldo; but Rinaldo had withdrawn from the army, because Godfrey had cited him to answer for the death of Girnando, slain in a duel. Godfrey, being informed that the hero was dallying with Armida in the enchanted island, sent to invite him back to the army; he returned, and Jerusalem was taken in a night attack. As for Armida, after setting fire to her palace, she fled into Egypt, and offered to marry any knight who slew Rinald; but when she found the Christian army was successful she fled from the field. The love of Rinaldo returned; he pursued her and she relented. The poem concludes with the triumphant entry of the Christian army into the Holy City, and their devotions at the tomb of the Redeemer. The two chief episodes are the loves of Olindo (q.v.) and Sephronia, and of Tancred (q.v.) and Corinda.

Jerusalem Pony

A needy clergyman or minister, who renders temporary aid to his brother ministers for hire; so called in humersome discourtesy. The Jerusalem pony is a large species of donkey.

Jess

(pl. Jesses). A short strap of leather tied about the legs of a hawk to hold it on the fist, Hence a bond of affection, etc.

“If I prove her haggard,

Though that ber jesses were my dear heart—strings, I'd whistle her off.”

Shakespeare: Othello, iii. 8.

Jessamy Bride

is Mary Horneck, with whom Oliver Goldsmith feil in love in 1769.

Jesse Tree

In Christian art, a vine tracing the genealogy of Christ, called a “rod out of the stem of Jesse” (Isa.

xi. l). Jesse is generally represented in a recumbent position, and the vine is made to rise out of his loins.

Jesse Window

(A). A stained—glass window representing Jesse recumbent, and a tree shooting from him containing the pedigree of Jesus.

Jessica

The Jew's daughter in the Merchant of Venice, by Shakespeare.

Jesters

(See Fools .)

Jesuit (3 syl.). When Ignatius de Loyola was asked what name he would give his order, he replied, “We are a little battalion of Jesus;” so it was called the “Society of Jesus,” vulgarised into Jesuits. The society was noted for its learning, political influence, and “pious frauds.” The order was driven from France in 1594, from England in 1604, from Venice in 1606, from Spain in 1767, from Naples in 1768; and in 1773 was suppressed by Pope Clement XIV.; but it revived again, and still exists. The word is used by controversialists to express one who “lies like truth,” or palters with us in a double sense, that “keeps the word of promise to our ear, and breaks it to our hope.”

Jesus Paper

Paper of very large size, chiefly used for engravings. Originally it was stamped with the initials

I.H.S. (q.v.).

Jet

So called from the River Gages, in Asia Minor, on the banks of which it was collected by the ancients. It was originally called gagates, corrupted into gagat, jet.

Jet d'Eau

(French). A spout or jet of water thrown up into the air, generally from an artificial fountain. The great jet at Versailles rises to a height of 100 feet; that at Chatsworth, the highest in existence, to 267 feet.

(French, from the Latin jactus, thrown; jaciv, to throw.)

Jetsam

or Jetson. Goods cast into the sea to lighten a ship. (French, jeter, to cast out.) (See Flotsam and Ligan.)

Jettator

One with an evil eye, who always brings ill—luck. The opposite of the Mascotte (q.v.), who with a “good eye” always brings good fortune.

The opera called La Mascotte, (1893, by Duree and Chivot.)

Jettatura

The evil—eye.

“Their glance, if you meet it, is the jettaturs, or evil—eye.” — Mrs. Gaskell: An Accursed Race.

Jeu d'Esprit

(French). A witticism.

Jeu de Mot

A pun; a play on some word or phrase. (French.)

Jeunesse Doree

The “gilded youth” of a nation; that is, the rich and fashionable young unmarried men.

“There were three of the jeunesse dorée, and, as such, were pretty well known to the ladies who promenade the grand circle.” — T. Terrel: Lady Delmar, ix.

Jew

The Wandering Jew. (1) Said to be KHARTAPH'ILOS, Pilate's porter. When the officers were dragging Jesus out of the hall, Kartaphilos struck Him with his fist in the back, saying, “Go quicker, Man; go quicker!” Whereupon Jesus replied, “I indeed go quickly; but thou shalt tarry till I come again.” This man afterwards became a Christian, and was baptised under the name of Joseph. Every 100 years he falls into an ecstasy, out of which he rises again at the age of thirty.

The earliest account of the “Wandering Jew” is in the Book of the Chronicles of the Abbey of St. Albans. This tradition was continued by Matthew Paris in 1228. In 1242 Philip Mouskes, afterwarde Bishop of Tournay, wrote the Rhymed Chronicle.

(2) AHASUE'RUS, a cobbler, who dragged Jesus before Pilate. As the Man of Sorrows was going to Calvary, weighed down with His cross, He stayed to rest on a stone near the man's door, when Ahasuerus pushed Him away, saying, “Away with you; here you shall not rest.” The gentle Jesus replied, “I truly go away, and go to rest; but thou shalt walk, and never rest till I come.”

This is the legend given by Paul von Eitzen, Bishop of Schleswig (1547). (See Greve: Memoire of Paul von Eitzen (1744).

(3) In German legend, the “Wandering Jew” is associated with JOHN BUTTADÆUS, seen at Antwerp in the thirteenth century; again, in the fifteenth; and again, in the sixteenth century. His last appearance was in 1774, at Brussels.

Leonard Doldius, of Nünberg. in his Praxis Alchymiæ (1604), says that Abasuerus is sometimes called Buttadæus.

(4) The French call “The Wandering Jew” ISAAC LAKE'DION or LAQUEDEM. (Mitternacht: Dissertatio in Johannem, xxi. 19.)

(5) Dr. Croly, in his novel, calls the “Wandering Jew" SALATHIEL BEN SADI, who (he says) appeared towards the close of the sixteenth century at Venice.

The legend of the Wild Huntsman, called by Shakespeare “Herne, the Hunter,” and by Father Mathieu “St. Hubert,” is said to be a Jew who would not suffer Jesus to drink from a horse—trough, but pointed out to Him some water in a hoof—print, and bade Him go there and drink. (Kuhn von Schwarz: Mordd. Sagen, 499.)

Jew's—eye

Worth a Jew's—eye. According to fable, this expression arose from the custom of torturing Jews to extort money from them. The expedient of King John is well known: He demanded 10,000 marks of a rich Jew of Bristol; the Hebrew resisted the atrocious exaction, but the tyrant ordered him to be brought before him, and that one of his teeth should be tugged out every day till the money was forthcoming. This went on for seven days, when the sufferer gave in, and John jestingly observed, “A Jew's eye may be a quick ransom, but Jew's teeth give the richer harvest.”

Launcelot, in the Merchant of Venice, ii. 5, puns upon this phrase when he says to Jessica: —

“There will come a Christian by

Will be worth a Jewess' eye.”

Jew's—harp

called by Bacon jeutrompe, by Beaumont and Fletcher, jew—trump, by Hakluyt, jew's—harp. The best players on this instrument have been Koch, a Prussian soldier under Frederick the Great; Kunert, Amstein, and some others.

Jew's Myrtle

So called from the popular notion that it formed the crown of thorns placed by the Jews on the Saviour's head.

Jews

in Dryden's satire of Absalom and Achitophel, those English who were loyal to Charles II., called David.

“The Jews, a headstrong, moody, murmuring race,

God's pampered people, whom, debauched with ease,

No king could govern, nor no god could please.” Part i. verses 45—48.

Jews born with tails. (See Raboin.)

Jews' Sabbath

In the Monasticon de Melsa, ii. pp. 134, 137, we read that a Jew at Tewkesbury fell into a cesspool, and Richard, Earl of Gloucester, passing by, offered to pull him out, but the Jew refused, saying —

“Sabbato nostra colo;

De stercore surgére nolo.”

Next day, as the Earl was passing again, the Jew cried to him for help, when Gloucester replied —

“Sabbata nostra quidem,

Solomon, celebrabis ibidem.”

The Rolls Series.

Jewels

in heraldry.

The topaz represents “or” (gold), or the planet Sol. The pearl or crystal represents “argent” (silver), or the planet Luna. The ruby represents “gules” (red), or the planet Mars.

The sapphire represents “azure” (blue), or the planet Jupiter.

The diamond represents “sable” (black), or the planet Saturn. The emerald represents “vert” (green), or the planet Venus.

The amethyst represents “purpure” (purple), or the planet Mercury.

Jewels

for the MONTHS. Each month is supposed to be under the influence of some precious stone — January: Garnet. Constancy.

February: Amethyst. Sincerity.

March: Bloodstone. Courage.

April: Diamond. Innocence.

May: Emerald. Success in love.

June: Agate. Health and long life.

July: Cornelian. Content.

August: Sardonyx. Conjugal fidelity.

September: Chrysolite. Antidote to madness. October: Opal. Hope.

November: Topaz. Fidelity.

December: Turquoise. Prosperity.

Jewels

for SIGNS of the ZODIAC —

Aries: Ruby.

Taurus: Topaz.

Gemini: Carbuncle.

Cancer: Emerald.

Leo: Sapphire.

Virgo: Diamond.

Libra: Jacinth.

Scorpio: Agate.

Sagittarius: Amethyst

Capricornus: Beryl.

Aquarius: Onyx.

Pisces: Jasper.

Jezebel

A painted Jezebel. A flaunting woman of bold spirit, but loose morals; so called from Queen Jezebel, the wife of Ahab.

Jib

A triangular sail borne in front of the foremast. It has the bowsprit for a base in small vessels, and the jib—boom in larger ones, and exerts an important effect, when the wind is abeam, in throwing the ship's head to leeward.

Jib. The under—lip. A sailor's expression; the under—lip indicating the temper, as the jib indicates the character of a ship.

The cut of his jib. A sailor's phrase, meaning the expression of a person's face. Sailors recognise vessels at sea by the cut of the jibs.

To hang the jib. The jib means the lower lip. To hang the lower lip is to look ill—tempered, or annoyed.

Jib

(To). To start aside; a “jibbing horse” is one that is easily startled. It is a sea term, to jib being to shift the boomsail from one side of the mast to the other.

Jib—boom

An extension of the bowsprit by the addition of a spar projecting beyond it. Sometimes the boom is further extended by another spar called the flying jib—boom.

Jib—door

A door flush with the outside wall, and intended to be concealed; forming thus part of the jib or face of the house. (See above, line 8.)

Jib—stay

(A). The stay on which a jib is set.

Jib Topsail

(A). A light sail flying from the extreme forward end of the flying—jib boom, and set about half—way between the mast and the boom.

Jiffy

In a jiffy. In a minute; in a brace of shakes; before you can say “Jack Robinson.” (French, vif, vife.)

Jig

from gigue. A short piece of music much in vogue in olden times, of a very lively character, either

six—eight or twelve—eight time, and used for dance—tunes. It consists of two parts, each of eight bars. Also a comic song.

“You jig, you amble, and you lisp.” — Shakespeare:

Hamlet, iii. l.

Jilt

a woman who jilts a lover

Cast aside capriciously or unfeelingly; "jilt a lover or a bride"

Jilt To play the jilt; to practice deception in love; to discard lovers capriciously. --Congreve.

Jilt Scot. jillet a giddy girl, a jill-flirt, dim. of jill a jill.

A woman who capriciously deceives her lover; a coquette; a flirt. --Otway.

Jim Crow

Brought out at the Adelphi in 1836. The character of Jim Crow played by T. D. Rice, as the original of the “nigger minstrels” since so popular. A renegade or turncoat is called a Jim Crow, from the burden of the song, Wheel about and turn about.

Jingo

By Jingo or By the Living Jingo. Basque “Jainko,” the Supreme Being. In corroboration of this derivation it may be stated that Edward I. had Basque mountaineers conveyed to England to take part in the conquest of Wales, and the Plantagenets held the Basque provinces in possession. The word was certainly used as a juron long before the Crimean War.

“Hey, Jingo! What the deil's the matter?

Do mermaids swim in Dartford water?”

Swift: Actæon (or The Original Horn Fair

Dr. Morris, in his Historic Outlines (p. 210 note, says it is St. Gingulph, and Professor Skeat (Notes and Queries. August 25th, 1894, p. 149) is of the same opinion. According to The Times, June 25th 1877, p. 6, col.

1), it is the Persian jang = War, and the juron “By St. Jingo” is about equal to “By Mars.” But the word had originally no connection with our jingoism. It was common enough in the early part of the nineteenth century. Query. A corruption of Jesus, Son of God, thus, Je—n—go.

Jingoes

(The). The war party in 1877. They were Russophobists, who felt convinced that the Czar intended to take possession of Constantinople, which would give him command of the Black Sea, and might endanger our Indian possessions. This has nothing to do with the word “jingo” used by Dean Swift; but was wholly connected with the music—hall song mentioned in the next article.

Jingoism The British war braggadocio; called Chauvinism in French; Spread—eagleism in the United States of North America. During the Russo Turkish War in 1877—1878 England was on the point of interfering, and at the music—halls a song became popular containing the following refrain: —

“We don't want to fight; but, by Jingo, if we do.

We've got the ships, we've got the men, and got the money too.”

Jinn

A sort of fairies in Arabian mythology, the offspring of fire. They propagate their species like human beings, and are governed by a race of kings named Suleyman, one of whom “built the pyramids.” Their chief abode is the mountain Kâf, and they appear to men under the forms of serpents, dogs, cats, monsters, or even human beings, and become invisible at pleasure. The evil jinn are hideously ugly, but the good are exquisitely beautiful. According to fable, they were created from fire two thousand years before Adam was made of earth. The singular of jinn is jinnee. (See Fairy.)

Jinnistan

The country of the Jinn, or Fairy Land, the chief province of which is The Country of Delight, and the capital The City of Jewels.

Joachim

(St.). The father of the Virgin Mary. Generally represented as an old man carrying in a basket two

turtle—doves, in allusion to the offering made for the purification of his daughter. His wife was St. Anne, of St. Anna.

Joan

(Pope). A supposed female “pope” between Leo IV. and Benedict III. She is said to have been born in England and educated at Cologne, passing under the name of Joannes Anglicus (John of England ). Blondel, a Calvinist, wrote a book in 1640 to prove that no such person ever occupied the papal chair; but at least a hundred and fifty authors between the thirteenth and seventeenth centuries repeat the tale as an historic fact. The last person who critically examined the question was Döllinger, in 1868. (See Historic Note Book, 701—2, for authorities pro and con.)

Joan Cromwell

Joan Cromwell's kitchen—stuff tub. A tub of kitchen perquisites. The filchings of servants sold for “market pennies.” The Royalists used to call the Protector's wife, whose name was Elizabeth, Joan Cromwell, and declared that she exchanged the kitchen—stuff of the palace for tallow candles.

Joan of Arc

or Jeanne la Pucelle. M. Octave Delepierre has published a pamphlet, called Doute Historique, to deny the tradition that Joan of Arc was burnt at Rouen for sorcery. He cites a document discovered by Father Vignier in the seventeenth century, in the archives of Metz, to prove that she became the wife of Sieur des Armoise, with whom she resided at Metz, and became the mother of a family. Vignier subsequently found in the family muniment—chest the contract of marriage between “Robert des Armoise, knight, and Jeanne

D'Arcy, surnamed the Maid of Orleaus.” In 1740 there were found in the archives of the Maison de Ville

(Orléans) records of several payments to certain messengers from Joan to her brother John, bearing the dates 1435, 1436. There is also the entry of a presentation from the council of the city to the Maid, for her services at the siege (dated 1439). M. Delepierre has brought forward a host of other documents to corroborate the same fact, and show that the tale of her martyrdom was invented to throw odium on the English. A sermon is preached annually in France towards the beatification of the Maid, who will eventually become the patron saint of that nation, and Shakespeare will prove a true prophet in the words —

“No longer on St. Denis will we cry,

But Joan la Pucelle shall be France's saint.”

Joannes Hagustaldensis

is John, Prior of Hexham, author of an old English Chronicle, and Lives of the Bishops of Hexham, in two books.

Job

(o long). The personification of poverty and patience. “Patients as Job,” in allusion to the patriarch whose history is given in the Bible.

Poor as Job. Referring to the patriarch when he was by Satan deprived of all his worldly possessions.

“I am as poor as Job, my lord, but not so patient.” —

Shakespeare: 2 Henry IV., i. 2.

Job's Comforter

One who pretends to sympathise in your grief, but says that you brought it on yourself; thus in reality adding weight to your sorrow. (See above.)

Job's wife. Some call her Rahmat, daughter of Ephraim, son of Joseph; and others call her Makhir, daughter of Manasses. (Sale: Korân xxi., note.)

She is also called by some Sitis; and a tradition exists that Job, at the command of God, struck the earth with his foot from the dunghill where he lay, and instantly there welled up a spring of water with which his wife washed his sores, and they were miraculously healed. (Korân, xxxvi. 41.)

Job's Pound

Bridewell; prison.

Job

(o short) A job is a piece of chance work; a public work or office not for the public benefit, but for the profit of the person employed; a sudden blow or “dig” into one.

A bad job. An unsuccessful work; one that brings loss instead of profit; a bad speculation. To do the job for one. To kill him.

Job

(o short). A ministerial job. Sheridan says: — “Whenever any emolument, profit, salary, or honour is conferred on any person not deserving it — that is a job; if from private friendship, personal attachment, or any view except the interest of the public, anyone is appointed to any public office ... that is a job.”

“No cheek is known to blush, or heart to throb,

Save when they lose a question or a job.”

Pope: Essay on Criticism, i. 104.

Job Lot

(A). A lot of miscellaneous goods to be sold a bargain.

Jobs

A printer's phrase to designate all kinds of work not included in the term “book—work.” The French call such work ouvrage de ville.

Allied to the Latin, op[us]; Spanish, ob[ra]; French, ouv[rage]; the r occurs in the genitive case, oper[is].

Job

(To). To strike. To give one a “job in the eye” is to give one a blow in the eye; and to “job one in the ribs” is to strike one in the ribs, to stab one in the ribs. Job and probe seem to be very nearly allied. Hallivell gives the word “stop,” to poke or thrust, which is allied to stab.

Jobation

A scolding; so called from the patriarch Job.

“Jobation ... means a long, dreary homily, and has reference to the tedious rebukes inflicted on the patriarch Job by his too obliging friends.” — G.A. Sala: (Echoes,) Sept. 6, 1884.

Jobber

One who does small jobs; one who buys from merchants to sell to retailers; a middle—man. A “stock—jobber” is one who buys and sells public funds, but is not a sworn stock—broker.

Jobbing Carpenter

One who is ready to do odd jobs (piece—work) in his own line. (See Job.)

Jocelin de Brakelonda

de Rebus gestis Samsonis, etc., published by the Camden Society. This record of the acts of Abbot Samson of Edmondsbury contains much contemporary history, and gives a good account of English life and society between 1173 and 1202.

Jockey

is a little Jack (boy). So in Scotch, “Ilka Jeanie has her Jockie.” (See Jack.)

All fellows, Jockey and the laird (man and master). (Scotch proverb.)

Jockey

(To). To deceive in trade; to cheat; to indulge in sharp practice.

Jockey of Norfolk Sir John Howard, a firm adherent of Richard III. On the night before the battle of Bosworth he found in his tent the warning couplet:

“Jockey of Norfolk, be not too bold,

For Dickon, thy master, is bought and sold.”

Joe

or a Joe Miller. A stale joke; so called from the compilation of jokes under that nom de plume. (See Miller.)

Joey

A groat; so called from Joseph Hume, M.P., who strongly recommended the coinage for the sake of paying short cab—fares, etc. (Hawkins: History of the Silver Coinage of England.)

Jog

Jog away; jog off; jog on. Get away; be off; keep moving. Shakespeare uses the word shog in the same sens — as, “Will you shog off?” (Henry V., ii. 1); and again in the same play, “Shall we shog?” (ii. 3). Beaumont and Fletcher use the same expression in The Coxcomb — “Come, prithee, let us shog off?” and again, in Pasquill and Katharine — “Thus it shogges” [goes]. In the Morte d' Arthur we have another variety — “He shokkes in sharpely" [rushes in]. The words seem to be connected with the Dutch schokken, to jolt, and the Anglo—Saxon scacan, to depart, to flee.

“Jog on a little faster, prithee,

I'll take a nap and then be wi'thee.”

R. Lloyd: The Hare and the Tortoise.

To jog his memory, or Give his memory a jog. To remind one of something apparently forgotten. Jog is to shake or stir up. (Welsh, gogi, to shake; French, choquer; our shock, shake, etc.)

Jog—trot

A slow but regular pace.

Joggis

or Jogges. The pillory. Jamieson says, “They punish delinquents, making them stand in `jogges,' as they call their pillories.” (The word is Yoke: Latin, jugum; French, joug; Anglo—Saxon, geoc; our jug, a jail.)

“Staune ane wholl Sabothe daye in ye joggis.” —

Glen: History of Dumbarton.

John

A contraction of Johannes (Joh'n). The French contract it differently, Jean — i.e. Jehan or Jehann; in Italian, Giovanni.

Popes.

JOHN I. died wretchedly in jail.

JOHN II. and III. were nonentities.

JOHN IV. was accused of heresy.

JOHN V., VI., VII., were nonentities.

JOHN VIII. was imprisoned by Lambert, Duke of Spoleto; at a subsequent period he was dressed in female attire out of mockery, and was at last, poisoned.

JOHN IX. had SERGIUS III. for a rival Pope.

JOHN X. was overthrown by Gui, Duke of Tuscany, and died in prison. JOHN XI. was imprisoned with his mother by Alberic, and died there.

JOHN XII. was deposed for sacrilege, and was at last assassinated. JOHN XIII. was imprisoned by his nobles and deposed.

JOHN XIV. was deposed, and died imprisoned in the Castle of St. Angelo. JOHN XV. was a nonentity.

JOHN XVI. was driven from Rome by Crescentius.

JOHN XVII. (antipope) was expelled by Otto III., and barbarously treated by Gregory. JOHN XVIII. abdicated.

JOHN XIX. was deposed and expelled by Konrad.

JOHN XX. was a nonentity.

JOHN XXI. was crushed to death by the falling in of his palace at Viterbo. JOHN XXII. was charged with heresy.

JOHN XXIII. fled in disguise, was arrested, and cast into prison for three years. Certainly a disastrous list of Popes.

John. A proverbially unhappy name with royalty, insomuch that when John Stuart ascended the throne of Scotland he changed his name to Robert; but misfortune never deserted him, and after an evil reign he died overwhelmed with calamities and infirmity. John Baliol was the mere tool of Edward I.; John of England, a most disastrous reign. John I. of France reigned only a few days; John II., having lost the battle of Poitiers, died in captivity in London; to France his reign was a tissue of evils. John of Bohemia was slain at Cressy. John 1. of Aragon was at ceaseless war with his subjects, by whom he was execrated; John II. was at ceaseless war with his son, Don Carlos. John I. of Constantinople was poisoned by Basil, his eunuch; John IV. had his eyes put out; John V. was emperor in name only, and was most unhappy; John VI., harassed with troubles, abdicated, and died in a monastery.

John I. of Sweden was unhappy in his expeditions, and died childless; John II. had his wife driven out of the kingdom by his angry subjects. Jean sans Peur of Burgundy engaged in the most horrible massacres and was murdered. John of Suabia, called the Parricide, because he murdered his father Albert, after which he was a fugitive and a vagabond on the face of the earth, etc., etc.

N.B. John of Portugal was a signal exception.

Ivan IV. of Russia, surnamed the “Terrible” (1529—1584). He murdered with his own hand his eldest son; Ivan V. (1666—1696) was dumb and nearly blind; Ivan VI. (1737—1762) was dethroned, imprisoned, and put to death. (See Jane.)

King John and the Abbot of Canterbury. John, being jealous of the state kept by the abbot, declared he should be put to death unless he answered three questions. The first question was, how much the king was worth; the second, how long it would take to ride round the world; and the third, what the king was thinking of. The king gave the abbot three weeks' grace for his answers. A shepherd undertook to answer the three questions, so with crozier, mitre, rochet, and cope, he presented himself before the king. “What am I worth?” asked John. “Well,” was the reply, “the Saviour was sold for thirty pence, and your majesty is a penny worse than He.” The king laughed, and demanded what he had to say to the next question, and the man replied, “If you rise with the sun and ride with the sun, you will get round the world in a day.” Again the king was satisfied, and demanded that the respondent should tell him his thoughts. “You think I am the abbot of Canterbury, but I am only a poor shepherd who am come to ask your majesty's pardon for him and me.” The king was so pleased with the jest, that he would have made the shepherd abbot of Canterbury; but the man pleaded that he could neither write nor read, whereupon the king dismissed him, and gave him a pension of four nobles a week. (Percy: Reliques, series 2, bk. iii. 6.)

Mess—John or Mass—John. A priest.

Prester John. The supposed Christian king and priest of a mediaeval kingdom in the interior of Asia. This Prester John was the Khan Ung who was defeated and slain by Genghis Khan in 1202, said to have been converted by the Nestorian Christians. He figures in Ariosto, and has furnished materials for a host of mediaeval legends.

“I will fetch you a tooth—picker now from the farthest inch of Asia; bring you the length of Prester John's foot: fetch you a hair off the great Cham's beard ...” Shakespeare: Much Ado about Nothing, ii. 1.

The three Johns — an alehouse picture in Little Park Street, Westminster, and in White Lion Street, Pentonville — is John Wilkes between the Rev. John Horne Tooke and Sir John Glynn (serjeant—at—law). (Hotten: History of Signboards).

St. John the Evangelist is represented writing his gospel; or bearing a chalice, from which a serpent issues, in allusion to his driving the poison from a cup presented to him to drink. He is sometimes represented in a cauldron of boiling oil, in allusion to the tradition of his being plunged into such a cauldron before his banishment to the isle of Patmos.

St. John. The usual war—cry of the English of the North in their encounters with the Scotch. The person referred to is St. John of Beverley, in Yorkshire, who died 721.

John—a—Dreams

A stupid, dreamy fellow, always in a brown study and half asleep.

“Yet I,

A dull and muddy—mettled rascal, peak,

Like John—a—dreams, unpregnant of my cause, And can say nothing.”

Shakespeare: Hamlet, ii. 2.

John—a—Droynes

A foolish character in Whetstone's Promos and Cassandra (1578). Being seized by informers, he stands dazed, and suffers himself to be quietly cheated out of his money.

John—a—Nokes

[or Noakes (1 syl.)]. A simpleton.

“John—a—Nokes was driving a cart toward Croydon, and by the way fell asleepe therein. Meane time a good fellow came by and stole away his two horses. [John] awakening and missing them, said, `Either I am John—a—Nokes or I am not John—a—Nokes. If I am

John—a—Nokes, then I have lost two horses; and if I am not John—a—Nokes, then I have found a cart.”' — Copley: Wits, Fits, and Fancies (1614).

John Anderson, my Jo

This song, like “Green Sleeves and Pudding Pies,” “Maggy Lauder” and some others, were invectives against the Catholic clergy about the time of the Reformation. The first verse refers to their luxurious habits: —

“John Anderson, my Jo, aim in as ze gae bye,

And ze sall get a sheip's heid weel baken in a pye;

Weel baken in a pye, and the haggis in a pat.

John Anderson, my Jo, cum in, and ze's get that.”

Another verse refers to the seven sacraments or “Seven bairns of Mother Church.”

John Audley

Is John Audley there? Get done as soon as possible, for there are persons sufficient for another audience. John Audley was a noted showman and actor; when his platform was full, he taught the ticket collector to poke his head behind the green curtain, and cry out: “Is John Audley there?” This was a signal to the actors to draw their piece to a close, and clear the house as quickly as possible. Audley taught this trick to Richardson.

John Bull The national nickname for an Englishman, represented as a bluff, kindhearted, bull—headed farmer. The character is from a satire by Dr. Arbuthnot. In this satire the Frenchman is termed Lewis Baboon, the Dutchman Nicholas Frog, etc.

John Bull. A comedy by George Colman. Job Thornberry is the chief character.

John Chinaman

Either a Chinese or the Chinese as a people.

John Company

Colonel Harold Malet, in Notes and Queries, August 6th, 1892, p. 116, says that “John” is a perversion of “Hon.,” and John Company is the Hon. Company. No doubt Hon., like Hans, may be equal to John, but probably John Company is allied to the familiar John Bull. The Company was abolished in 1857, in consequence of the Indian Mutiny.

“In old times `John Company' employed four thousand men in its warehouses.” — Old and New London, ii. 185.

John Doe

At one time used in law pleadings for an hypothetical plaintiff; the supposititious defendant being “Richard Roe.” These fictions are not now used.

John Dory

is technically called Zeus faber, common in the Mediterranean Sea and round the south—western coasts of England. A corruption of jaune adorée = the adorable or sacred yellow fish.

The only interest of this creature in a work like the Dictionary of Phrase and Fable is the tradition that it was the fish from which St. Peter took the stater. Hence it is called in French le poisson de St. Pierre, and in Gascon, the golden or sacred cock, meaning St. Peter's cock. Like the haddock, it has a remarkable oval black spot on each side, said to be the finger—marks of St. Peter, when he held the fish to extract the coin. As neither the haddock nor dory can live in fresh water, of course this tradition is only an idle tale.

John Dory

A piratical French captain, conquered by Nicholl, a Cornishman.

“John Dory bought him an ambling nag,

To Paris for to ride—a.”

Corbett: A Journey to France, p. 129.

John Long

To wait for John Long, the carrier. To wait a long time; to wait for John, who keeps us a long time.

John Roberts

(A). An enormous tankard holding enough drink for any ordinary drinker to last through Saturday and Sunday. This measure was introduced into Wales in 1886 to compensate topers for the Sunday closing, and derived its name from John Roberts, M.P., author of the Sunday Closing Act. (Standard, March 11th, 1886.)

John Thomas

A generic name for a flunkey; or footman with large calves and bushy whiskers.

John Drum's Entertainment

Hauling a man by his ears and thrusting him out by the shoulders. The allusion is to “drumming” a man out of the army. There is a comedy so called, published 1601.

“When your lordship sees the bottom of his success in't ... if you give him not John Drum's entertainment, your inclining cannot be removed.” — Shakespeare: All's Well that Ends Well,

iii. 6.

John in the Wad

A Will—o'—Wisp. A wad is a wisp, and John or Jack is a name for any inferior person unknown. (See Jack.)

John of Bruges (1 syl.). John van Eyck, the Flemish painter (1370—1441).

John o' Groat

with his two brothers Malcolm and Gavin, came from Holland in the reign of James IV. of Scotland, and purchased the lands of Warse and Dungisbay. In process of time their families increased, and there came to be eight families of the same name.They lived together amicably, and met once a year in the original house; but on one occasion a question of precedency arose, who was to go out first, and who was to take the head of the table.. John o' Groat promised them the next time they came he would contrive to satisfy them all. Accordingly he built an eight—sided room, with a door and window in each side, and placed a round oak table in the room. This building went ever after with the name of John o' Groat's House. The site of this house is the Berubium of Ptolemy, in the vicinity of Duncansby Head.

“Hear, land o'cakes and brither Scots,

Frae Maidenkirk to Johnny Groat's ...

A chield's amang you takin' notes.

And, faith, he'll prent it.”

Burns: Captain Grose.

John of Hexham

An English historical writer, twelfth century.

John of Leyden

(the prophet), being about to marry Bertha, met with three Anabaptists who observed a strong likeness in him to a picture of David in Munster cathedral. They entered into conversation with him, and finding him apt for their purpose, induced him to join their rebellion. The rebels took the city of Munster, and John was crowned “ruler of Westphalia.” His mother met him in the street, and John disclaimed all knowledge of her; but subsequently visited her in prison, and obtained her forgiveness. When the emperor arrived with his army, John's Anabaptist friends deserted him, and “the prophet,” setting fire to the banquet—room of his palace, perished with his mother in the flames. (Meyerbeer: Le Prophéte [an opera]).

His real name was John Bockhold.

John the Almoner

Chrysostom was so called, because he bestowed so large a portion of his revenues on hospitals and other charities. (347—407.)

John the Baptist

Patron saint of missionaries. He was sent “to prepare the way of the Lord.” In Christian art he is represented in a coat of sheepskins, in allusion to his life in the desert; either holding a rude wooden cross, with a pennon bearing the words, Ecce Agnus Dei, or with a book on which a lamb is seated; or holding in his right hand a lamb surrounded by a halo, and bearing a cross on the right foot.

John Tamson's Man

a henpecked husband: one ordered here, and ordered there and ordered everywhere. Tameson — i.e. spiritless, the slave even of a Tame—son.

“`The deil's in the wife!' said Cuddie. `Dye think I am to be John Tamson's man, and maistered by a woman a' the days o' my life?” — Sir W. Scott: Old Mortality, chap. xxxix.

John with the Leaden Sword

The Duke of Bedford, who acted as regent for Henry VI. in France, was so called by Earl Douglas.

Johnnies

British bourgeois. Byron, February 23rd, 1824, writes to Murray his publisher respecting an earthquake:

“If you had but seen the English Johnnies, who had never been out of a cockney workshop before ... [running away ...].”

Johnny Crapaud

A Frenchman, so called by the English sailors in the long Napoleon contest. The ancient Flemings used to call the French “Crapaud Franchos.” In allusion to the toads borne originally in the arms of France.

Johnny Raw

A Verdant Green; a newly—enlisted soldier; an adult apprentice in the ship—trade.

“The impulse given to ship—building by the continental war, induced employers to take persons as apprentices who had already passed their majority. This class of men—apprentices, generally from remote towns, were called `Johnny Raws' by the fraternity.” — C. Thomson: Autobiography, p. 73.

Johnson

(Dr. Samuel) lived in Fleet Street — first in Fetter Lane, then in Boswell Court, then in Gough Square, then in the Inner Temple Lane for seven years, then in Johnson's Court (No. 7) for ten years; and lastly in Bolt Court (No. 8), where he died eight years after. The coffee—house he most frequented was the Mitre tavern in Fleet Street, and not that which has assumed the name of “Dr. Johnson's Coffee—house.” The church he frequented was St. Clement Danes in the Strand.

Johnstone

The crest of this family is a winged spur. or spur between two wings, leathered, with the motto. “Nunquam non paratus.” When King Edward I. was meditating treachery in favour of Balliol, Johnstone sent to Bruce (then in England) a spur with a feather tied to it. Bruce took the hint and fled, and when he became king conferred the crest on the Johnstone family.

Johnstone's Tippet

(St.). A halter.

Join the Majority

To join or, To go over to, the majority, to die.

Joint

The times are out of joint. The times are disquiet and unruly. If the body is out of joint it cannot move easily, and so is it with the body corporate

Jolly

A sailor's nickname for a marine, who, in his opinion, bears the same relation to a “regular” as a jolly—boat or yawl does to a ship. (Danish, jollë, a yawl.)

Jolly Dog

(A). A bon vivant. Here “jolly” means jovial.

Jolly God

(The). Bacchus. The Bible speaks of wine which “maketh glad the heart of man.” Here “jolly” means jovial.

Jolly Good Fellow

(A). A very social and popular person. (French, joli. )

“Ali was jolly quiet at Ephesus before St. Paul came thither.” — John Trapp: Commentary (1656).

“For he's a jolly good fellow [three times].

And so say all of us,

With a hip, hip, hip, hoora!”

Jolly Green

Very simple; easily imposed upon, from being without worldly wisdom.

Jolly Roger

a black flag bearing a white skull and crossbones; indicates a pirate ship

Jollyboat

A small boat usually hoisted at the stern of a ship. (Danish, jollë; Dutch, jol; Swedish, jullë, a yawl.)

Jonah and the Whale

Mr. Colbert, Professor of Astronomy in Chicago, in a chapter on “Star Grouping,” tells us that the whale referred to is the star—group “Cetus,” and that Jonah is the “Moon passing through it in three days and nights.”

Jonas in Dryden's satire of Absalom and Achitophel, is meant for Sir William Jones, Attorney—General, who conducted the prosecution of the Popish Plot (June 25th, 1674); not the great Oriental scholar, who lived

1746—1794. The attorney—general was called in the satire Jonas by a palpable pun.

“Not bull—faced Jonas, who could statutes draw

To mean rebellion and make treason law.”

Dryden: Absalom and Achitophel, part i. 520, 521.

Jonathan

Brother Jonathan. In the revolutionary war, Washington, being in great want of supplies for the army, and having unbounded confidence in his friend, Jonathan Trumbull, governor of Connecticut, said, “We must consult brother Jonathan.” Brother Jonathan was consulted on all occasions by the American liberator, and the phrase becoming popular was accepted as the national name of the Americans as a people.

Jonathan and David

In 1 Sam. xviii. 4 we read that Jonathan (the king's son) “stripped himself of his robe and gave it to David, with his sword, bow, and girdle.” This was a mark of honour, as princes and sovereigns nowadays strip themselves of a chain or a ring, which they give to one they delight to honour. In 1519 the Sultan Selim, desirous of showing honour to an imaum of Constantinople, threw his royal robe over him.

Jonathan's

A noted coffee—house in Change Alley, described in the Tatler as the general mart of stock—jobbers.

What is now called the Stock Exchange was called Jonathan's.

“Yesterday the brokers and others ... came to a resolution that [the new building] instead of being called `New Jonathan's,' should be called `The Stock Exchange.' ... The brokers then collected sixpence each, and christened the house with punch.” — Newspaper paragraph (July 15, 1773).

Jonathan's Arrows

They were shot to give warning, and not to hurt. (1 Sam. xx. 36.)

“If the husband would reprove his wife, it should be in such a mood as if he did chide himself; and his words like Jonathan's arrows, should be shot, not to hurt, but only to give warning.” — Le Fanu: The House in the Church —yard, chap. xcix.

Jonc

(French). A wedding—ring; so called because those who were married by compulsion at Ste. Marine wore rings of jonc or straw.

“C'est dans l'église de Ste. Marine que l'on marie ceux que l'on condamne á s'épouser. Anciennement on les mariait avec un anneau de paille; etait—ce pour marquer au mari que la vertu de celle qu'il épousalt était bien fragile?” — Dulaure.

Joncs

Etre sur le joncs (to be on the straw) — i.e. in prison.

“Plantez aux hurmes yos picons

Da paour les bisans si tres—durs

Et aussi d'estre sur les joncz,

Emmanchez en coffre et gros murs.”

Villon: Jargon et Jobelin, ballade 1.

Jordan Passed

Death over. Jordan is the Styx of Christian mythology, because it was the river which separated the wilderness [of this world] from the promised land.

“If I still hold closely to Him,

What hath He at last?

Sorrow vanquished, labour ended,

Jordan passed.”

John Mason Neale, D.D. (Stephen the Sabaite.

Jordeloo

(3 syl.). Notice given to passengers when dirty water was thrown from chamber windows into the street. Either “Gare de l'eau,” or else “Jorda' lo!” the mutula being usually called the “Jordan.”

“At ten o'clock at night the whole cargo is flung out of a back window that looks into some street or lane, and the maid calls `Gardy loo” to the passengers.” — Smollett: Humphrey Clinker.

“The lass had made the Gardy loo out of the wrong window.” — Sir W. Scott: Heart of Midlothian.

Jormungandar

or Midgardsormen (i.e. earth's monster). The great serpent, brother of Hela and Fenrir (q.v.), and son of Loki, the spirit of evil. It used to lie at the root of the celestial ash till All—Fader cast it into the ocean; it then grew so large that in time it encompassed the whole world, and was for ever biting its own tail.

Josaphat

An Indian prince converted by the hermit Barlaam, in the Greek religious pastoral entitled Josaphat and Barlaam, generally ascribed to St. John of Damascus (eighth century).

Joseph

(A). One not to be seduced from his continency by the severest temptation. The reference is to Joseph in Potiphar's house. (Gen. xxxix.) (See Bellerophon.)

A joseph. A great coat, so called after Joseph, who wore a garment or coat of many colours.

“At length, Mrs. Buby herself made her appearance; her venerable person, endued with what was then called a joseph, an ample garment, which had once been green, but now, betwixt stains and patches, had become like the vesture of the patriarch whose name it bore — a garment of divers colours.” — Sir W. Scott: The Pirate, chap. xi.

Joseph

(St.). Patron saint of carpenters, because he was of the same craft. This is Joseph, husband of Mary, and the reputed father of Jesus.

In Christian art Joseph is represented as an aged man with a budding staff in his hand.

Joseph Andrews

The hero of a novel written by Fielding to ridicule Richardson's Pamela, whose brother Joseph is supposed to be.

Joseph of Arimathea

brought to Listenise the sanctgraal and also the spear with which Longinus wounded the crucified Saviour. When Sir Balin entered this chamber, which was in the palace of King Pellam, he found it “marvellously well dight and richly; the bed was arrayed with cloth of gold, the richest that might be thought, and thereby stood a table of clean gold, with four pillars of silver, and upon the table stood the spear strangely wrought.” (The History of Prince Arthur, part i. chap. 40.)

Joseph's Coat

(See under Coat .)

Joss

The house—god of the Chinese; every family has its joss. A temple is called a joss—house.

Josse

Vous étes orfèvrs, Monsieur Jossc (You are a jeweller, Mr. Josse). Nothing like leather; great is Diana of the Ephesians; your advice is not disinterested. In Molière's comedy of L'Amour Médecin, a silversmith, by the name of Josse, being asked the best way of curing a lady pining from love, recommends a handsome present of jewellery. The father replies, “You advise me like a jeweller, Mr. Josse.”

Jot

Not a jot. “Jot” is a contraction of iota, called the Lacedemonian letter, and the smallest in the alphabet; or the Hebrew yod.

Jotham

in Dryden's satire of Absalom and Achitophel, means Saville, Marquis of Halifax. Jotham was the person who uttered the parable of The Trees Choosing a King when the men of Shechem made Abimelech king. (Judges ix.)

Jotunheim

(pron. Utun—hime). Giant land. The home or region of the Scandinavian giants or joten.

Jour Maigre

(French). A day of abstinence, when meat is forbidden to be eaten. (See Banian Days.)

Jourdain

(Monsieur), in Molière's comedy of Le Bourgeis Gentithomme. He represents a bourgeois placed by wealth in the ranks of gentlemen, and making himself extremely ridiculous by his endeavours to acquire their accomplishments.

Journal

(Latin, diurnum, a daily thing; Welsh, diwrnod; Italian, giorno; French, journal, journal, jour, a day.)

Applied to newspapers, the word strictly means a daily paper; but the extension of the term to weekly papers is sanctioned by custom.

Journey

A Sabbath—day's journey. The distance between the farthest tents in the wilderness and the tabernacle of Moses, a radius of about a mile; this would make the entire encampment to cover a circumference of six miles.

Journey—weight

The weight of certain parcels of gold in the mint. A journey of gold is fifteen pounds Troy, which is coined into 701 sovereigns, or double that number of half—sovereigns. A journey of silver is sixty pounds Troy, which is coined into 3,960 shillings, or double that number of sixpences, half that number of florins, etc. So called because this weight of coin was at one time esteemed a day's mintage. (French, journée.)

Jouvence

(2 syl.). You have been to the fountain of Jouvence — i.e. You have grown young again. This is a French phrase. Jouvence is a town of France in the department of Saône—et—Loire, and has a fountain called la fontaine de Jouvence; but Jouvence means also youth, and la fontaine de jouvence may be rendered “the fountain of youth.” The play on the word gave rise to the tradition that whoever drank of this fountain would become young again.

Jove

Jupiter .) The Titans made war against Jove, and tried to dethrone him.

“Not stronger were of old the giant crew,

Who sought to pull high Jove from regal state.” Thomson: Castle of Indolence, cauto 1.

Milton, in Paradise Lost, makes Jove one of the fallen angels (i. 512).

Jovial

Merry and sociable, like those born under the planet Jupiter, which astrologers considered the happiest of the natal stars.

“Our jovial star reigned at his birth.”

Shakespeare: Cymbeline, v. 4.

Joy

The seven joys of the Virgin: (1) The annunciation; (2) the visitation; (3) the nativity; (4) the adoration of the three kings; (5) the presentation in the temple; (6) the discovery of her youthful Son in the temple in the midst of the doctors; (7) her assumption and coronation. (See Sorrow.)

Joyeuse

(2 syl.). Charlemagne's sword, which bore the inscription Decem oræceptorum custos Carolus; the sword of Guillaume au Court—Nez; anyone's sword. It was buried with Charlemagne. (See Swords.)

Joyeuse Garde or Garde—Joyeuse. The estate given by King Arthur to Sir Launcelot of the Lake for defending the Queen's honour against Sir Mador.

Juan Fernandez

A rocky island in the Pacific Ocean, off the coast of Chili. Here Alexander Selkirk, a buccaneer, resided in solitude for four years, and his history is commonly supposed to be the basis of Defoe's Robinson Crusoe.

Sailors commonly believe that this island is the scene of Crusoe's adventures; but Defoe distinctly indicates an island on the east coast of South America, somewhere near Dutch Guiana.

Jubal

[a trumpet ]. The son of Lamech and Adah. He is called the inventor of the lyre and flute (Gen. iv. 19—21).

“Then when he [Javan ] heard the voice of Jubal's lyre,

Instinctive genius caught the ethereal fire.”

Montgomery: The World Before the Flood, c. 1.

Jubilee

(Jewish). The year of jubilee. Every fiftieth year, when land that had passed out of the possession of those to whom it originally belonged was restored to them; all who had been reduced to poverty, and were obliged to let themselves out for hire, were released from bondage; and all debts were cancelled. The word is from jobil (a ram's horn), so called because it was proclaimed with trumpets of rams' horns. (See Leviticus xxv. 11—34, 39—54; and xxvii. 16—24.)

Jubilee (in the Catholic Church). Every twenty—fifth year, for the purpose of granting indulgences. Boniface

VIII. instituted it in 1300, and ordered it to be observed every hundred years. Clement VI. reduced the interval to fifty years, Urban IV. to thirty, and Sixtus IV. to twenty—five.

Protestant Jubilee, celebrated in Germany in 1617, the centenary of the Reformation. Shakespeare Jubilee, held at Stratford—on—Avon, September 6th, 1769.

Jubilee to commemorate the commencement of the fiftieth year of the reign of George III., October 25th, 1809.

Jubilee to celebrate the close of the Revolutionary War, August 1st, 1814. 1887. The Jubilee to commemorate the fiftieth year of the reign of Queen Victoria.

Judaise

(3 syl.). To convert or conform to the doctrines, rites, or manners of the Jews. A Judaising spirit is a desire to convert others to the Jewish religion.

Judaism

(3 syl.). The religion of the Jews, or anything else which is special to that people.

Judas

in the satire of Absalom and Achitophel, by Dryden and Tate, was meant for Mr. Furgueson, a Nonconformist. He was ejected in 1662 from his living of Godmersham, in Kent, and afterwards distinguished himself by his political intrigues. He joined the Duke of Monmouth, whom he afterwards betrayed.

Le point de Judas (French). The number thirteen. The Messiah and His twelve disciples made thirteen. And as Judas was the first to die, he was the thirteenth. At the death of the Saviour, the number being reduced to eleven, a twelfth (Matthias) was elected by lot to fill the place of the traitor.

Judas Kiss

(A). A deceitful act of courtesy. Judas betrayed his Master with a kiss.

“So Judas kissed his Master,

And cried, `All hail!' whenas he meant all harm.” Shakespeare: 3 Henry VI., v. i.

Judas Slits

or Judas Holes. The peep—holes in a prison—door, through which the guard looks into the cell to see if all is right; when not in use, the holes are covered up.

“It was the faint click made by the cover of the `Judas' as it falls back into the place over the slit where the eyes have been.” — The Century: Russian Political Prisons, February, 1888, p. 524.

Judas Tree

A translation of the Latin arbor Judae. The name has given rise to a Greek tradition that it was upon one of these trees that Judas Iscariot hanged himself.

Judas—coloured Hair

Fiery—red. Cain is represented with red hair.

“His very hair is of the dissembling colour, something browner than Judas's.” — Shakespeare: As You Like It, iii. 4.

Jude

(St.), in Christian art, is represented with a club or staff, and a carpenter's square, in allusion to his trade.

Judee

La petite Judée (French). The prefecture of police: so called because the bureau is in the Rue de Jérusalem, and those taken there for offences look on the police as their betrayers.

Judge's Black Cap

The judge puts on his black cap (now a three—cornered piece of black silk) when he condemns to death, in sign of mourning. This sign is very ancient. “Haman hasted to his house mourning, having his head covered” (Esther vi. 12). David wept “and had his head covered” (2 Samuel xv. 30). Demosthenes went home with his head covered when insulted by the populace. Darius covered his head on learning the death of his queen. Malcolm says to Macduff in his deep sorrow, “What, man! ne'er pull your hat upon your brows” (Macbeth, iv. 3). And the ancient English, says Fosbroke, “drew their hoods forward over their heads at funerals.”

Judges' Robes

In the criminal courts, where the judges represent the sovereign, they appear in full court dress, and wear a scarlet robe; but in Nisi Prius Courts the judge sits merely to balance the law between civilians, and therefore appears in his judicial undress, or violet gown.

Judica

(Latin). The fifth Sunday after Lent; so called from the first word of the service for the day, Judica me, Domine (Judge me, O Lord). (Psalm xliii.)

Judicium Crucis

was stretching out the arms before a cross, till one of the party could hold out no longer, and lost his cause. The bishop of Paris and abbot of St. Denis appealed to this judgment in a dispute they had about the patronage of a monastery; each of the disputants selected a man to represent his cause, and the man selected by the bishop gave in, so that the award was given in favour of the abbot.

Judicium Dei (Latin). The trial of guilt by direct appeal to God, under the notion that He would defend the right even by miracle. There were numerous methods of appeal, as by single combat, ordeal by water or fire, eating a crust of bread, standing with arms extended, consulting the Bible, etc., etc.

Judith

The Jewish heroine of Bethulia, who perilled her life in the tent of Holofernes, the general of Nebuchadnezzar, in order to save her native town. The bold adventurer cut off the head of the Assyrian, and her townsmen, rushing on the invaders, defeated them with great slaughter. (The Book of Judith.)

Jug

(A) or a Stone jug. A prison. (See Joggis .)

Juge de Paix

(French). A cudgel.

“Albert Mangin, condamné à mort le 7 floreal an. ii. ayant dit que les jacobins étaient tou des scélérats et des coquins, et montrant un gros bâton qu'il tenait à la main: Voilà un `Juge de paix' qui me servira à leur casser la barre du cou.” — L. P. Prudhomme: Dict. des Individus Condamnés, etc.

Jugged Hare

The hare being cut up is put into a jug or pipkin, and the pipkin is set in a pan of water. This bain marie prevents the contents of the pipkin from being burnt.

Juggernaut

or Jaggernaut. A Hindu god. The word is a corruption of the Sanscrit jagannâtha (lord of the world). The temple of this god is in a town of the same name in Orissa. King Ayeen Akbery sent a learned Brahman to look out a site for a temple. The Brahman wandered about for many days, and then saw a crow dive into the water, and having washed, made obeisance to the element. This was selected as the site of the temple. While the temple was a—building the rajah had a prophetic dream, telling him that the true form of Vishnu should be revealed to him in the morning. When the rajah went to see the temple he beheld a log of wood in the water, and this log he accepted as the realisation of his dream, enshrined it in the temple, and called it Jagannâth.

“The idol Jaggernat is in shape like a serpent, with seven heads; and on each cheek it hath the form of a wing, and the wings open, and shut, and flap as it is carried in a stately chariot.” — Bruton: Churchill's Collection.

The car of Juggernaut. An enormous wooden machine adorned with all sorts of figures, and mounted on sixteen wheels. Fifty men drag it annually to the temple, and it is said to contain a bride for the god. Formerly many were crushed to death by the car; some being pushed down by the enormous crowd; some throwing themselves under the wheels, as persons in England under a railway train; some perhaps as devotees. By British police arrangements, such immolation is practically abolished.

Juggler

means a player. (Latin, joculator.) These jugglers accompanied the minstrels and troubadours, to assist them, and added to their musical talents sleight—of—hand, antics, and feats of prowess, to amuse the company assembled. In time the music was dropped as the least attractive, and tricks became the staple of these wandering performers. (Latin, joculator, jocus, a joke or trick.)

Juggs

or Jougs. The name given in Scotland to a sort of pillory, consisting of an iron ring or collar fastened by a short chain to a wall, as the “juggs” of Duddingston, Edinburgh. (See Joggis.)

Julian

the Roman emperor, boasted that he would rebuild Jerusalem, but was mortally wounded by an arrow before the foundation was laid. Much has been made of this by early Christian writers, who dwell on the prohibition and curse pronounced against those who should attempt to rebuild the city, and the fate of Julian is pointed out as an example of Divine wrath against the impious disregarder of the threat.

“Well pleased they look for Sion's coming state,

Nor think of Julian's boast and Julian's fate.”

Crabbe: Borough.

St. Julian. Patron saint of travellers and of hospitality. Represented as accompanied by a stag in allusion to his early career as a hunter; and either receiving the poor and afflicted, or ferrying travellers across a river.

“An househaldere and that a great, was he!

Seynt Julian he was in his countre,

His breed, his ale, was alway after oon [one pattern]; A bettre envyned man was nowhere noon.”

Chaucer: The Frankelcyn, Introduction to Canterbury Tales.

St. Julian was he deemed. A great epicure. St. Julian was the epicurean of saints. (See above.

Julian Epoch

or Era. That of the reformed calendar by Julius Caesar, which began forty—six years before Christ.

Julian Period

is produced by multiplying together the lunar cycle, the solar cycle, and the Roman indiction. The first year of the Christian era corresponded to the year 4713 of the Julian, and therefore to reduce our B.C. dates to the Julian, we must subtract them from 4713, but our A.D. dates we must add to that number. So named from Julius Scaliger, the deviser of it.

Julian period. Multiply 28 by 19 and by 15 which will give 7,980, the time when the solar and lunar periods agree.

Julian Year

The year regulated by Julius Caesar, which continued to be observed till it was corrected by Pope Gregory XIII. in 1582.

Julienne Soup

Clear meat soup, containing chopped vegetables, especially carrots; so called after Julien, a French cook, of Boston.

Juliet

Daughter of Lady Capulet, and “sweet sweeting” of Romeo, in Shakespeare's tragedy of Romeo and Juliet. She has become a household word for a lady—love.

Julium Sidus

The comet which appeared at the death of Julius Caesar, and which in court flattery was called the apotheosis of the murdered man.

July'

The seventh month, named by Mark Antony, in honour of Julius Caesar, who was born in it.

Jumala

The supreme idol of the ancient Finns and Lapps. The word is sometimes used by the Scandinavian poets for the Almighty.

“On a lonely cliff

An ancient shrine he found, of Jumala the seat, For many a year gone by closed up and desolate.” Frithiof—Saga: The Reconciliation.

Jump

To jump or to fit or unite with like a graft; as, both our inventions meet and jump in one. Hence the adverb exactly, precisely.

“Good advice is easily followed when it jumps with our own ... inclinations.” — Lockhart: Sir Walter Scott, chap. x. p. 241

The Scotch use jimp, as, “When she had been married jimp four months” (The Antiquary.

Jump at an Offer

(To). To accept eagerly.

Jump Over the Broomstick

(To). To marry in an informal way. A “brom” is the bit of a bridle; to “jump the brom” is to skip over the marriage restraint, and “broomstick” is a mere corruption.

“A Romish wedding is surely better than jumping over broomstick.” — G. A. Sala.

Jumper

The longest jumper on record was Phayllos, who is accredited with jumping 55 feet. Half that length would be an enormous jump.

A counter jumper. A draper's apprentice or employe, who is accustomed to jump over the shop counter to save the trouble and time of going round.

June

(1 syl.). The sixth month. Ovid says, “Junius a juvenum nomine dictus.” (Fasti, v. 78.)

June Marriages Lucky

“Good to the man and happy to the maid.” This is an old Roman superstition. The festival of Juno moneta was held on the calends of June, and Juno was the great guardian of the female sex from birth to death.

Junior Optime

A Cambridge University term, meaning a third—class “honour" man — i.e. in the mathematical “honour” examination.

Junior Soph

A man of the second year's standing is so called in the University of Cambridge (See Soph.)

Junius

Letters of Junius. In 1871 was published a book entitled The Handwriting of Junius Professionally Investigated by Mr. Charles Chabot, expert. The object of this book is to prove that Sir Philip Francis was the author of these letters. On the 22nd May, 1871, appeared an article in the Times to show that the case is “not proven” by Mr. Chabot. Mr. Pitt told Lord Aberdeen that he knew who wrote the Junius Letters, and that it was not Francis. Lady Grenville sent a letter to the editor of Diaries of a Lady of Quality to the same effect.

Junk

Latin, juncus, from jungo, to join: used for binding, making baskets, mats. The juncus maritimus is useful in binding together the loose sands of the sea—shore, and obstructing the incursions of the sea. The juncus conglomeratus is used in Holland for giving stability to river—banks and canals. ( See Rush.)

Junk

Salt meat supplied to vessels for long voyages; so called because it is hard and tough as old rope—ends so called. Ropes are called junks because they were once made of bulrushes. Junk is often called salt horse.

(See Harness Cask.)

Junket

Curded cream with spice, etc.; any dainty. The word is the Italian giuncata (curd or cream cheese), so called because carried on junk or bulrushes (giúneo).

“You know there wants no junkets at the feast.”

Shakespeare: Taming of the Shrew, iii. 2.

Junner

A giant in Scandinavian mythology, said in the Edda to represent the “eternal principle.” Its skull forms the heavens; its eyes the sun and moon; its shoulders the mountains; its bones the rocks, etc.; hence the poets call heaven “Junner's skull;” the sun, “Junner's right eye;” the moon, “Junner's left eye;” the rivers, “the ichor of old Junner.” (See Giants.)

Juno

The “venerable ox—eyed” wife of Jupiter, and queen of heaven. (Roman mythology.) The famous marble statue of the Campana Juno is in the Vatican.

Junonian Bird The peacock, dedicated to the goddess—queen.

Junto

A faction consisting of Russell, Lord—Keeper Somers, Charles Montague, and several other men of mark, who ruled the Whigs in the reign of William III. for nearly twenty years, and exercised a very great influence over the nation. The word is a corruption of the Spanish junta (an administrative assembly), but is in English a term of censure.

Jupiter

is the Latin form of . Verospi's statue of Jupiter is in the Vatican; but one of the seven wonders of the world was the statue of Olympian Jove, by Phidias, destroyed by fire in Constantinople A.D. 475.

This gigantic statue was nearly sixty feet high, though seated on a throne. The statue was made of ivory; the throne of cedar—wood, adorned with ivory, ebony, gold, and precious stones. The god holds in his right hand a golden statue of Victory, and his left hand rested on a long sceptre surmounted with an eagle. The robe of the god was of gold, and so was the footstool supported by golden lions. This wonderful work of art was removed to Constantinople by Theodosius l.

Jupiter. With the ancient alchemists designated tin.

Jupiter Scapin

A nickname of Napoleon Bonaparte, given him by the Abbé de Pradt. Scapin is a valet famous for his knavish tricks, in Molière's comedy of Les Fourberies de Scapin.

Jupiter's Beard

House—leek. Supposed to be a charm against evil spirits and lightning. Hence grown at one time very generally one the thatch of houses.

“Et habet quisque supra domum suum Jovis barbam.” — Churlemagne's Edict.

Jurassic Rocks

Limestone rocks; so called from the Jura; the Jurassic period is the geological period when these rocks were formed. Our oolitic series pretty nearly corresponds with the Jurassic.

Jurisprudence

The Father of Jurisprudence. Glanville, who wrote Tractatus de Legibus et Consuetudinibus Angliae in 1181 (died 1190).

Jury Leg

(A). A wooden leg, or leg for the nonce. (See Jury Mast .)

“I took the leg off with my saw ... seared the stump ... and made a jury leg that he shambles about with as well as ever he did.” — Sir W. Scott: The Pirate, chap. xxxiv.

Jury Mast

A corruption of joury mast — i.e. a mast for the day, a temporary mast, being a spar used for the nonce when the mast has been carried away. (French, jour, a day.)

Jus Civile

Civil law.

Jus Divinum

Divine law.

Jus Gentium

(Latin). International law.

Jus Mariti

(Latin). The right of the husband to the wife's property.

Jus de Reglisse

(liquorice). French slang for a negro.

Jus et Norma Loquendi

The right method of speaking and pronouncing established by the custom of each particular nation. The whole phrase is “Consuetudo, jus et norma loquendi.” (Horace.)

Just (The).

Aristides, the Athenian (died B.C. 468).

Baharam, styled Shah Endeb(the Just King), fifth of the Sassanidae (q.v.) (276—296). Casimir II., King of Poland (1117, 1177—1194).

Ferdinand I., King of Aragon (1373, 1412—1416).

Haroun al Raschid (The Just. The most renowned of the Abbasside califs, and the hero of several of the Arabian Nights stories (765, 786—808).

James II., King of Aragon (1261—1327).

Khosru or Chosroes, called by the Arabs Molk al Adel(the Just King). Moran the Just, councillor of Feredach, King of Ireland.

Pedro I. of Portugal (1320, 1357, 1367).

Juste Milieu

(French). The golden mean.

Justices in Eyre

(pron. ire). A contraction and corruption of Itinere — i.e. on circuit.

Justing of Watson and Barbour

A description of a ludicrous tilt between Watson and Barbour, in Scotch verse, by Sir David Lindsay

Justinian

The English Justinian. Edward I. (1239, 1272—1307).

Juvenal

(Latin, from juvenis). A youth; common in Shakespeare, thus —

“The juvenal the prince your master, whose chin is not yet fledged.” — 2 Henry IV., i. 2.

Juvenal

The English Juvenal. John Oldham (1653—1683). The Juvenal of Painters. William Hogarth (1697—1764).

Juveniles

(3 syl.), in theatrical parlance, means those actors who play young men's parts, whether in tragedy, melodrama, or light comedy. Thus a manager scoring a play would write against Hamlet, not the name of the actor, but “the leading Juvenile.”