What is the origin of using the nickname Jack for someone who's given name is John?

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What is the origin of using the nickname Jack for someone who's given name is John?

2007-01-18 08:45:55 · 3 answers · asked by toneland 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages

3 answers

Some think it is from French Jacques, but that is a nickname for Jacob. Others believe it is just a way the English differentiated between all the Johns. No one knows for sure.,

2007-01-18 10:03:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋

I had a great uncle John who was known as Jack. I was told this was because so many boys were called 'John' that 'Jack' was sometimes used to distinguish between them.

2007-01-18 16:51:11 · answer #2 · answered by penny century 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋

It is a very good question and I would also like to know the answer.
In Spanish it makes it more complicated as

John means Juan
and
Jack means JoaquÃn

2007-01-18 18:24:16 · answer #3 · answered by Martha P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋