| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Jack Robinson. | | |
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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:— | 1 |
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| “A warke it ys as easie to be done |
| As tys to saye Jacke! robys on.” | |
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An old Play, cited by Halliwell: Arch. Dict. |
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