Jack Ketch
Also 7 Kitch, 8– Catch, jack-Ketch.
[From the name of John or ‘Jack’ Ketch (sometimes written Catch and Kitch), the common executioner 1663 (?)–1686. Partly on account of his barbarity at the executions of William Lord Russell, the Duke of Monmouth, and other political offenders, partly perhaps from apt association with the vb. Ketch, catch, his name became notorious, was given to the hangman in the puppet-play of Punchinello, introduced from Italy shortly after his death, and became a common appellation. See Dict. Nat. Biog. s.v.]
An appellation for the common executioner or hangman.
| [1673 R. Head Canting Acad. 13 Jack Kitch, the proper name of the Common Hangman that is now in being. 1682 Dryden Dk. of Guise Epil. 30 ‘Jack Ketch’, says I, ‘is an excellent Physician..But hanging is a fine dry kind of death.’ 1683 (title) The Apologie of John Ketch Esquire. 1685–6 Luttrell Diary 20 Jan., Jack Ketch, the hangman for affronting the Sherifs of London..is turn'd out of his place, and one Rose, a butcher, put in. 1702 T. Brown Lett. fr. Dead 48 From Charon to the Most Illustrious and High-born Jack Ketch, Esq.] 1705 Hickeringill Priest-cr. ii. iii. 28 A Priest-ridden Magistrate to be the Jack Ketch, and do the Priest's drudgery. 1755 Wesley Wks. (1872) II. 349 He is then a kind of jack-catch, an executioner-general. 1812 Examiner 19 Oct. 666/2 A few dozen lashes well laid on by Jack Ketch..may be a very appropriate punishment. [1849 Macaulay Hist. Eng. v.] 1889 Clark Russell Marooned (1890) 75 If they seize the vessel, it is piracy—a criminal act which ends with Jack Ketch. |