| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Jack o’ the Clock. | | |
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The figure which comes out to strike the hours on the bell of a clock. A contraction of Jaquemart (q.v.). | 1 |
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| “King Richard. Well, but what’s o’clock? |
| Buckingham. Upon the stroke of ten. |
| K. R. Well, let it strike. |
| B. Why let it strike? |
| K. R. Because that, like a jack, thou keep’st the stroke |
| Betwixt thy begging and my meditation.” | |
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Shakespeare: Richard III., iv. 2. |
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