The Facts on File Dictionary of Allusions - Green Valley High School

Jack the Ripper
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Giant- Killer as a peasant hero, specifi cally one
from Cornwall in Arthurian times, who uses his
wits to overwhelm a succession of fearsome giants
and then helps himself to their gold or other treasures.
Switzerland hope to play the role of Jack the
Giant- Killer in Eu ro pe an football next season.
Jack the Ripper A serial killer, or any person
who behaves in a vicious or murderous manner.
<strong>The</strong> original Jack the Ripper was an unidentifi ed
knife- wielding murderer who embarked on a
reign of terror in the East End of London in
1888–89, during the course of which he savagely
killed at least six prostitutes. “After that, I could
have told her that you were Jack the Ripper and
she’d have believed me” (Susan Gates, <strong>The</strong> Lock,
1990).
Jacobean ( jakbbeebn) Of a bloodthirsty, dark,
and melodramatic nature. <strong>The</strong> allusion is to the
gory tragedies that were presented to eager theater
audiences in Jacobean England—the period
that coincided with the reign of James I (1603–
25). Such plays were notable for their memorable
villains and themes of murder and revenge. By the
time the brawl was over the room looked like the set of a
Jacobean revenge tragedy.
Jacobin (jakbbbn) A po liti cal radical, especially
one who behaves in an unforgiving, bloodthirsty
manner. <strong>The</strong> original Jacobins were a group of
po liti cal extremists who emerged as the dominant
force during the French Revolution of 1789 under
the leadership of Danton and robespierre. Called
Jacobins because they held their fi rst meeting at a
Jacobin monastery, they instituted the reign of
terror in which many prominent fi gures (including
Danton and Robespierre themselves) were
sent to the guillotine. As a result of the Demo cratic
resurgence, the Jacobin element in Congress has become
quieter of late.
Jacob’s ladder (jaykobz) A ladder of rope or
cable used to board a ship; a variety of plant (Polemonium
caeruleum) with leaves positioned in a ladderlike
arrangement. <strong>The</strong> original Jacob’s ladder
was a ladder connecting earth with heaven, envisaged
in a dream by Jacob recounted in Genesis
28:12. <strong>The</strong> ladder itself was said to have 15 rungs,
representing the virtues. <strong>The</strong> stone that Jacob used
as a pillow when he had his dream was traditionally
identifi ed as the Stone of Scone, used in Scottish
coronations. <strong>The</strong> boys had rigged a ser viceable
Jacob’s ladder to climb up to their tree house.
Jael ( jayl) A treacherous, deadly woman.
According to the Bible (Judges 4–5), Jael, whose
name means “wild goat,” was the wife of Heber
the Kenite and feigned hospitality when her husband’s
enemy, the Canaanite general Sisera,
arrived, giving him milk to drink and a tent to
sleep in. While Sisera slept, Jael took a tent peg
and drove it into his head with a hammer.
Because this murder was committed in defense
of Israel, Jael acquired the status of an Old Testament
heroine, and her name is sometimes quoted
as an archetype of feminine courage. “Bravo,
Jael! <strong>The</strong> wife of Heber the Kenite was no braver
woman than you!” (Dinah Craik, John Halifax,
1856).
James, Jesse See jesse james.
James Bond A secret agent, especially one of
debonair and daring character. <strong>The</strong> allusion is to
the fi ctional British agent of the name, otherwise
known as 007, introduced by British thriller
writer Ian Fleming (1908–64) in Casino Royale