Jack Robinson was a London social climber during the early eighteenth century.
He made it his business to appear at as many gatherings as possible, where he would often present his card and have his name announced, then leave for the next function before meeting his hosts.
This scandalous behavior made its way into a popular song, and eventually, “Before you could say Jack Robinson” meant any act of extreme haste.
We say that something happened so quickly that it was over before you could say “Jack Robinson”.
Related Posts
-
Where does the expression “before one can say Jack Robinson” come from and What does it mean?
The phrase "before one can say Jack Robinson" means in a couple of shakes, two shakes of a lamb's tail, or, in plain English, immediately, with no loss of time. The expression arose…
-
How did the Jack-in-the-box get its name and Where does the term Jack in the box come from?
Nowadays the name "Jack in the box" is usually applied to a toy, a box from which a frightening figure, such as a dragon, serpent, clown, or the like, springs out when the…
-
How did the “Jack-in-the-Pulpit” get its name and Where does the term Jack-in-the-Pulpit come from?
The American wildflower Jack-in-the-Pulpit, growing only in marshy woodlands, is unknown in some parts of the country. To anyone who has seen it in springtime, the cause of the name is obvious. The…
-
Who Invented Cracker Jack and How Did Cracker Jack Get Its Name?
Neither the popcorn nor the peanut is the Jack in Cracker Jack. F. W. Rueckheim was a German immigrant who'd made a name for himself in Chicago as a popcorn vendor. His little…
-
Who was Jack the Ripper of London and how did his nickname originate?
Nobody knows who Jack the Ripper was, but there are plenty of theories. In London, from August 31 to November 9, 1888, five prostitutes were killed and mutilated. Based on the precision with…
-
Why is a Male donkey Called Jack and a Female Donkey Called Jenny and How Did the Names Originate?
Jack is the diminutive or short form of the common name John, although it is also often used as a proper name. The name Jack was so common at one point that it…
