IVY BUSH. A very small-faced man who has a large quantity of hair on his face and head.
JACK KETCH. The hangman. This cognomen for the hangman is of very ancient date. In the year 1682, we find in "Butler's Ghost," p. 54, the following lines:
"Till Ketch observing he was choused, And in his province much abused; In open hall the tribute dunned, To do his office, or refund."
Jack Ketch had not been long appointed to his office; for we find the name of his predecessor (Dun) in the former part of this poem,
"For you, yourself, to act Squire Dun, Such ignominy ne'er saw the sun."
The addition of "Squire" to Dun's name was an evidence that he had executed some state criminal, which, according to the custom of the times, accorded to him that title. The predecessor of Dun was one Gregory; from whom the gallows was called the "Gregorian tree," and by which name it is mentioned in the prologue to "Mercurius Pragmaticus," tragi-comedy, acted in 1641:
"This trembles under the black rod, and he Doth fear his fate from the Gregorian tree."
Gregory succeeded Derrick, who flourished in the year 1608, as we find in an old book of that time: "For he rides his circuit with the devil, and Derrick must be his host, and Tyburn the inne at which he will light." "At the gallows where I leave them, as to the haven at which they must all cast anchor, if Derrick's cables do but hold."
JACK-GAGGER. A fellow that lives on the prostitution of his wife.
JACKET. To show one up; point one out. The fly cops pulled him, and allowed the flat cops to jacket him; so you see it was dusty for him, and I advised him to pike into Daisyville for a few moons until the down blew off.
JANASMUG. A go-between; one who goes between the thief and the fence.
JAPANNED. A convict is said to be japanned when the chaplain pronounces him to be converted.
JARKMAN. One who writes characters for servants, begging petitions, etc., etc.
JAZEY. A man with an enormous quantity of hair on his head and face.
JENNY LINDA. A window, pronounced _winder_.
JIGGER. A door. "Dub the jigger," open the door.
JILT. A prostitute who hugs and kisses a countryman while her accomplice robs him.
JINGLEBRAINS. A wild, thoughtless fellow.
JOB. A robbery. "To do a job," to commit a robbery.