The Collaborative International Dictionary
Jack Ketch \Jack" Ketch"\ [Perh. fr. Jack, the proper name + Prov. E. ketch a hangman, fr. ketch, for catch to seize; but see the citations below.] A public executioner, or hangman. [Eng.]
The manor of Tyburn was formerly held by Richard
Jaquett, where felons for a long time were executed;
from whence we have Jack Ketch.
--Lloyd's MS.,
British
Museum.
[Monmouth] then accosted John Ketch, the executioner, a
wretch who had butchered many brave and noble victims,
and whose name has, during a century and a half, been
vulgarly given to all who have succeeded him in his
odious office.
--Macaulay.
Wiktionary
n. 1 a public executioner 2 the gallows 3 death 4 the devil
Wikipedia
John Ketch (died November 1686), generally known as Jack Ketch, was an infamous English executioner employed by King Charles II. He became famous through the way he performed his duties during the tumults of the 1680s, when he was often mentioned in broadsheet accounts that circulated throughout the Kingdom of England. He is thought to have been appointed in 1663. He executed the death sentences against William Russell, Lord Russell, in Lincoln's Inn Fields on 21 July 1683, and James Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth, on 15 July 1685, after the Monmouth Rebellion. Ketch's notoriety stems from "his barbarity at the execution of Lord Russell, the Duke of Monmouth, and other political offenders."
Because of his botched executions, the name "Jack Ketch" is used as a proverbial name for death, Satan, and executioner.
Jack Ketch (foaled 1954 in Ireland) was a thoroughbred racehorse. Raced at age two under trainer Stephen Quirke, son of Irish champion jockey, Martin Quirke, Jack Ketch won the Maher Nursery Handicap. At age three, the colt won three important Irish races including the Classic 2,000 Guineas.
In 1958, Jack Ketch was sold to American Allie E. Reuben who raced under the name of Hasty House Farm. Trained by future U.S. Racing Hall of Fame trainer, Harry Trotsek, he made his American debut on 14 July 1958 at Chicago's Arlington Park with a win on turf in the Morton Grove Purse. Jack Ketch would not win another significant race until 25 October 1958 when he won the Canadian Championship Stakes with his Hasty House Farm stablemate Mahan finishing second.
Retired to stud duty after racing with minor success as a five-year-old in 1959, Jack Ketch eventually stood in Australia but was not a successful sire.
Usage examples of "jack ketch".
That touches the pockets of most of 'em in Dymchurch, and might touch a neck or two with Jack Ketch hemp.
Only imagine, half a dozen old dowagers of Park Lane, whose puffy lap-dogs were dead in their laps, bargaining for their darlings with Jack Ketch, because they wish to have them stuffed.
The hangman has ever since been called Jack Ketch, because a man of that name went hanging and hanging, all day long, in the train of Jeffreys.
One bright young entrepreneur lived exactly four weeks from arrest to jack Ketch.