E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Jackal.
A toady. One who does the dirty work of another. It was once thought that the jackals hunted in troops to provide the lion with prey, hence they were called the “lion’s providers.” No doubt the lion will at times avail himself of the jackal’s assistance by appropriating prey started by these “hunters,” but it would be folly to suppose that the jackal acted on the principle of vos non vobis. (See HONEY-COMB.)
