Jenkin, the servant of George-a-Green. He says a fellow ordered him to hold his horse, and see that it took no cold. “No, no,” quoth Jenkin, “I’ll lay my cloak under him.” He did so, but “mark you,” he adds, “I cut four holes in my cloak first, and made his horse stand on the bare ground.”[ground.”]—Robert Greene, George-a-Green, the Pinner of Wakefield (1584).
Jenkin, one of the retainers of Julian Avenel (2 syl.), of Avenel Castle.—Sir W. Scott, The Monastery (time, Elizabeth).
Jencks (Mr.). Tall, well-mannered young Englishman, appointed professor in a rising fresh-water university in America. On ship-board he falls in love with Lily Floyd-Curtis, whose mother is a society leader—or would be. Jencks rises faster even than his university but fate and Floyd-Curtisism award Lily to Lord Melrose, malgré his spotted reputation.—Constance Cary Harrison, The Anglomaniacs (1890).
Jenkins (Mrs. Winifred), Miss Tabitha Bramble’s maid, noted for her bad spelling, misapplication of words, and ludicrous misnomers. Mrs. Winifred Jenkins is the original of Mrs. Malaprop.—Smollett, The Expedition of Humphry Clinker (1771).
Jenkins, a vulgar lick-spittle of the aristocracy, who retails their praises and witticisms, records their movements and deeds, gives flaming accounts of their dresses and parties, either viva voce or in newspaper paragraphs: “Lord and Lady Dash attended divine service last Sunday, and were very attentive to the sermon” (wonderful!). “Lord and Lady Dash took a drive or walk last Monday in their magnificent park of Snobdoodleham. Lady Dash wore a mantle of rich silk, a bonnet with ostrich feathers, and shoes with rosettes.” The name is said to have been first given by Punch to a writer in the Morning Post.
Jenkinson (Ephraim), a green old swindler, whom Dr. Primrose met in a public tavern. Imposed on by his venerable appearance, apparent devoutness, learned talk about “cosmogony,” and still more so by his flattery of the doctor’s work on the subject of monogamy, Dr. Primrose sold the swindler his horse, Old Blackberry, for a draft upon Farmer Flamborough. When the draft was presented for payment, the farmer told the vicar that Ephraim Jenkinson “was the greatest rascal under heaven,” and that he was the very rogue who had sold Moses Primrose the spectacles. Subsequently the vicar found him in the county jail, where he showed Dr. Primrose great kindness, did him valuable service, became a reformed character, and probably married one of the daughters of Farmer Flamborough.—Goldsmith, Vicar of Wakefield (1765).
Jenness (Captain). Master of the Aroostook, in which Lydia Blood (unchaperoned) takes passage for Venice. Has “a girl just about her age up at Deer Isle.”
“Good land! I know what girls are, I hope!”[hope!”]
After which, the young lady needs no duenna, although she is the only woman on board.—W.D. Howells, The Lady of the Aroostook (1879).
Jennie, housekeeper to the old laird of Dumbiedikes.—Sir W. Scott, Heart of Midlothian (time, George II.).