Obs. [f. JACK sb.1 + BOY.] A boy employed in menial work; spec. a stable-boy, groom or postillion. Cf. JOCKEY.
[1401. Pol. Poems (Rolls), II. 62. Jacke boy,… fayne thou woldist witen.]
1573. Tusser, Husb., lxxxvii. (1878), 177. Rather make lackey of Iack boie thy wag.
1596. Shaks., Tam. Shr., IV. i. 43. Why Iacke boy, ho boy, and as much newes as thou wilt.
1600. Surflet, Countrie Farme, V. vii. 668. They must haue the stones gathered off in winter … by little Iackboyes and girles.
1812. J. H. Vaux, Flash Dict., Jack-boy, a postillion.
1849. [Mrs. Wilde], trans. Meinhold’s Sidonia Sorc., II. 152. She … uttered coarse and shameful words, such as the most shameless groom or jack-boy would scarce pronounce.
