subs. (venery).—The penis. For synonyms, see CREAMSTICK and PRICK.

1

  BEFORE ONE CAN SAY ‘JACK ROBINSON,’ phr. (common).—Instantly; in the shortest possible time; IN TWO-TWO’S (q.v.).

2

  1785.  GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v. JACK ROBINSON … a saying to express a very short time, originating from a very volatile gentleman of that appellation, who would call on his neighbours, and be gone before his name could be announced.

3

  1811.  GROSE and CLARKE, Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v.

4

  1836.  M. SCOTT, The Cruise of the Midge [ed. 18.], p. 295. BEFORE YOU COULD SAY JACK ROBINSON, the pursuer’s starboard leg was whipped out of Jack Lennox’s clutches.

5

  1837.  R. H. BARHAM, The Ingoldsby Legends, ‘The Merchant of Venice’ (ed. 1842), p. 256.

                    I have not a doubt
        I shall rout every lout
ERE YOU’LL WHISPER JACK ROBINSON.

6

  1846.  Punch, xi. 9. Here it was he married my mother whose name was Robinson, whose ancestor was the famous JACK ROBINSON of whom is still retained a popular proverb relating to rapidity of expression.

7