subs. phr. (old).—1.  A sailor; and (2) a hornpipe.

1

  1781.  G. PARKER, A View of Society, i. 53. Our house in this place was chiefly supported by JACK TARS.

2

  1785.  GROSE, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, s.v.

3

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

4

  1820.  LAMB, The Essays of Elia, ‘On Some of the Old Actors.’ Displays before our eyes a downright concretion of a Wapping sailor—a jolly warm-hearted JACK TAR.

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