"Jack in the Box" toy

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jbw

#40473 Mon, 02 Aug 04 08:35 PM

I am interested in finding out information on the origin of the "Jack in the Box" toy.

jbw

Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004

New Member (01)

Novalee

#40599 Tue, 03 Aug 04 02:52 PM

This is an interesting topic for me (origin of words) so I researched a little about "Jack-in-the-box".
According to Wikipedia A jack-in-the-box is a children's toy. It consists of a box with a crank. The crank is turned, playing out a melody (often Pop Goes the Weasel). At the end of the tune, the lid pops open and a figure of some sort, usually a clown, pops out of the box.
The toy gave its name to the fast food restaurant chain Jack in the Box, which features a mascot named "Jack" who resembles a toy clown from a jack-in-the-box.

here you can see some information about this fast food restaurant.

Hope this helps

Novalee

Joined on Fri, Jun 11 2004

Full Member (104)

Novalee

#40601 Tue, 03 Aug 04 03:07 PM

And the etimology of this word, according to etymonline.com:

Jack-in-the-box - 1570, originally a name for a sharp or cheat, "who deceived tradesmen by substituting empty boxes for others full of money" [Robert Nares, "A Glossary of Words, Phrases, Names, and Allusions," London, 1905]. As a type of toy, it is attested from 1702

I think this clears all up about the real origin. So, as a toy, it comes from the 18th century, but it was used for a person who cheated others.

humm, interesting, isn't it?