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Every man jack
every man jack, everyone without exception: They presented a formidable opposition, every man jack of them.
Is this idiom widely known and used in English? Any particular context or register where it would be more used? In Spanish I would say, "todo el mundo" "todo Cristo" "todo Dios". Also, "todos a una" (como Fuenteovejuna) Any other ideas or comments? Thank you in advance. :) |
I've never heard that phrase used in any place I've ever lived in America.
The idea I get from reading about the phrase on the internet is that it's a British phrase. It's a very old phrase, and is listed as 'old-fashioned' in the Cambridge Dictionary. 'Todo quisque' is another way to say everybody. |
Never heard the phrase in my life...
I've never heard todo cristo or todo dios before... I've heard todo quisque before though. What's more common to just say "everybody" in general? |
That makes sense. It could be "British sailor slang" probably?
Yes, 'todo quisque' is actually very common in Spain as well... but "todo Dios" is also rather common. (...y de repente todo Dios canta una canción) Probably the one that gets closer in the 'dated' register is "Todo Cristo", although is is also widely used, it is not as 'esoteric' as 'every man jack'... In current 'movida' or 'pasota' slang, I believe 'Todo el personal' is what is used... Not sure if there is any 'obscure' Spanish sailor-slang to match that old register... Maybe I am asking too much, but if someone has an 18th century Spanish sailor as a friend... or some Pirate of the Caribean... maybe he knows... :rolleyes: ;) :) |
I've heard the expression, but can't say it's common. Very likely to be of nautical origin, as suggested.
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I agree. It is used in England, but it sounds quaint and old-fashioned.
You could say "the world and his wife" but this sounds stilted as well. Perhaps "one and all" is a bit better. |
Thank you, Brute. :)
Understood on the usage in English. The point is (maybe more for Spanish natives) that I am trying to find the EQUIVALENT in Spanish. (I.e., I would like to find such a 'dated, stilted, not-too-common' expression in Spanish.) You just gave me some inspiration as I remembered "todo hijo de vecino" [every neighbor's son] ... quizá "todo marino" o un sinónimo más arcaico de "marino" podría funcionar en mi contexto. |
Yes, "man jack" is a nautical term from as long ago as 1650, but more
commonly used in the 18th/19th centuries to mean a sailor. It's related to the term "jack-tar", also meaning sailor, from "jack" (one who works with his hands), and "tar", abbreviation of "tarpaulin". It is much more often seen in literature than heard in conversation, although I did hear it among military personnel (particularly Navy). |
Hey, Hermit, this is greatly appreciated... makes sense and fits perfectly in the 'sailor' navy context where I found this expression. :)
Now I'll guess I'll search in some Spanish sailor jargon/slang, to see if I can find something matching the sense and the register of the original... maybe something like "hasta el último hombre" or "hasta el último marino" could be a solution in my context... even if not too "obscure or slangy"... :) |
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"desde el capitán hasta el último grumete" "desde el almirante hasta el último grumete" "desde el comandante hasta el último grumete" "desde el primer oficial hasta el último grumete" "desde el comodoro hasta el último grumete" Now, change "grumete" by "marino", and we got 5 more ways to say something similar. Also, "hasta el último hombre abordo" "hasta el último pasajero" "hasta el último hombre, mujer y niño" También se podría usar "marinerito" desde el contramaestre hasta el paje, desde el contramaestre hasta el piloto de derrota, desde el contramaestre hasta el cocinero, "Desde el nostramo hasta el último grumete" quizá le dé el toque arcaico... aunque sigue siendo más largo que un día sin pan... comparado con "every man jack" Oh, well... :) Still open to more Spanish inspiration... but so far, I think this thread and its contributors have helped me to understand a little bit better, and have helped every man jack, too. :D ("Toda la tripulación", hey, "toda la marinería"... a lo mejor, "todo el rol") A ver si hay por ahí algún marino español que sepa algo mejor...) :) |
I have a question.
What does Every man jack mean in English? What will be the equivalent in Spanish for that saying? |
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En inglés, significa "everybody" or "everyone". |
All right.
I will take in mind the suggest. Thank you. |
Keep in mind that the phrase isn't commonly used.
"I'll keep your suggestion in mind," is the correct way to say your sentence, by the way. |
For what it's worth, I've never heard the expression before now either.
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