The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs (292 page)
Read The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs Online
Authors: John Andrew Simpson,
BOOK: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs
13.28Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
JACK is as good as his master
Jack
is variously used as a familiar name for a sailor, a member of the common people, a serving man, and one who does odd jobs.
1706
Spanish & English Dict.
s.v. Pedro,
Peter is as good as his Master. Like Master, like Man.
1868
&
Foul Play
II. xx.
Is it the general opinion of seamen before the mast? Come, tell us. Jack's as good as his master in these matters.
1905
Old Harbour Town
xi.
If the crew are to be carried away to an unbeknown place, they all go below to a man, for Jack's as good as his master when it comes to his having to do something which he didn't agree for.
1936
South Riding
I.iv.
She was far from thinking Jack as good as his master and explained failure in plebeian upstarts by saying with suave contempt: ‘Well, what can you expect? Wasn't bred to power’.
1987
Child's Play
viii.
1945 might have seen Britain ready at last for the political assertion that Jack was as good as his master, but it was still light years away from any meaningful acknowledgement that Black Jack was as good as White Jack.
employers and employees
;
equality
is variously used as a familiar name for a sailor, a member of the common people, a serving man, and one who does odd jobs.
1706Spanish & English Dict.
s.v. Pedro,
Peter is as good as his Master. Like Master, like Man.
1868
&
Foul Play
II. xx.
Is it the general opinion of seamen before the mast? Come, tell us. Jack's as good as his master in these matters.
1905
Old Harbour Town
xi.
If the crew are to be carried away to an unbeknown place, they all go below to a man, for Jack's as good as his master when it comes to his having to do something which he didn't agree for.
1936
South Riding
I.iv.
She was far from thinking Jack as good as his master and explained failure in plebeian upstarts by saying with suave contempt: ‘Well, what can you expect? Wasn't bred to power’.
1987
Child's Play
viii.
1945 might have seen Britain ready at last for the political assertion that Jack was as good as his master, but it was still light years away from any meaningful acknowledgement that Black Jack was as good as White Jack.
employers and employees;
equality
Jack
JAM tomorrow and jam yesterday, but never jam today
1871Through Looking-Glass
V.
‘The rule is, jam to-morrow and jam yesterday—but never jam to-day.’ ‘It
must
come sometimes to “jam to-day”,’ Alice objected. ‘No, it can't,’ said the Queen.
1951
Day of Triffids
xii.
Just put the Americans into the jam-tomorrow-pie-in-the-sky department awhile.
1979
Guardian
9 June 10
The manageress of the launderette calls me darling … ‘Jam yesterday, jam tomorrow, but never jam today.’
disappointmentOther books
Tempting the Bride by Sherry Thomas
The Prince: A Selection Novella (HarperTeen Impulse) by Cass, Kiera
The Star of India by Carole Bugge
The Masque of Vyle by Andy Chambers
Our Endless Numbered Days: A Novel by Claire Fuller
Up in Smoke by Alice Brown
Mulberry Wands by Kater Cheek
Curves for Breeding: Bred to Surrender (BDSM BBW Erotic Romance) by Mitchell, Arthur
The Deserter by Jane Langton
There May Be Danger by Ianthe Jerrold
