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Sep 5, 2008
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Dictionary of Phrase and Fable—J

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.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
Jack of Newbury
Jack o' the Clock
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More on Jack of Dover from Infoplease:

  • Jack of Dover - Jack of Dover A stockfish, “hake salted and dried.” The Latin for a hake is merlucius, ...
  • Dover - Dover (A). A réchauffé or cooked food done over again. In the professional slang of ...
  • Dictionary of Phrase and Fable: J - Definitions, origins, and illustrative excerpts for words, phases, and literary allusions starting with "J"
  • Poke - Poke A bag, pouch, or sack. Poke A lazy person, a loafer, a dawdler. Poke To thrust or push ...

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