jackanapes

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See also: jack-a-napes

English

A monkey on leash was colloquially called a jackanapes.

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

Etymology 1

1450, from “Jack of Naples”, with “of Naples” rendered “a Napes” in vernacular. Originally rendered as Jac Napes, Jac Nape, and Jack Napis in 1450s. Presumably from *Jak a Napes, and original *Jak of Naples, presumably circa 1400. Monkeys were one of many exotic goods from Naples exhibited in Britain, hence acquired the nickname Jack a Napes.

In sense “upstart person”, applied to 15th century William de la Pole, 1st Duke of Suffolk, one of the first nouveau riche nobles (risen from merchant class). The family used a collar and chain on their coat of arms, which was an unfortunate choice, as this was more associated with monkey leashes, leading to the derisive nickname Jack Napis for de la Pole, yielding the insult.

Later mis-analyzed as Jack-an-apes (16th and 17th century), leading to folk etymology (taking “ape” from “monkey”). The same process and mis-analysis occurred for fustian of Naples, which became fustian a napes, fustian anapes, etc.

Also attributed to the transition of the playing card 'Knave' to 'Jack' where both cards were associated with the idea of roguery. The 'Jack' became the Jack a napes, derived from Jack a naipes, naipes being the Spanish for playing card.

Noun

jackanapes (plural jackanapeses)

  1. (obsolete) A monkey.
  2. (dated, derogatory) An impudent or mischievous person.
    • 1611 April (first recorded performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Cymbeline”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies  (First Folio), London: Isaac Iaggard, and Ed Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, , pages 375–376:
      Was there euer man had ſuch lucke? when I kiſt the Iacke vpon an vp-caſt, to be hit away? I had a hundred pound on't: and then a whoreſon Iacke-an-apes muſt take me vp for ſwearing, as if I borrowed mine oathes of him, and might not ſpend them at my pleaſure.
Usage notes

Originally the singular form, jackanapes is also analyzed as a plural (due to the -s), and hence jackanape was formed as a singular backformation.

Quotations
Derived terms

Etymology 2

Noun

jackanapes

  1. plural of jackanape

References

  • “Attraction in English”, Charles P. G. Scott, Transactions of the American Philological Association, volume 25, 1893, p. 113
  • Charles P. G. Scott, Transactions of the American Philological Association, volume 23, pp. 190–193 – 38 quotations
  • “It’s the southern end of a northbound jackalope.” The Word Detective, March 24, 2004
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