What is "jack-in-the-box"

Jack-in-a-box \Jack-in-a-box\

1. (Bot.) A tropical tree ( Hernandia sonora), which bears a drupe that rattles when dry in the inflated calyx.

2. A child's toy, consisting of a box, out of which, when the lid is raised, a figure (usually a clown) springs; also called jack-in-the-box.

3. (Mech.) An epicyclic train of bevel gears for transmitting rotary motion to two parts in such a manner that their relative rotation may be variable; applied to driving the wheels of tricycles, road locomotives, and to cotton machinery, etc.; an equation box; a jack frame; -- called also compensating gearing.

4. A large wooden screw turning in a nut attached to the crosspiece of a rude press.

1560s, originally a name for a sharp or cheat, "who deceived tradesmen by substituting empty boxes for others full of money" [Robert Nares, "A Glossary of Words, Phrases, Names, and Allusions," London, 1905]. As a type of toy, it is attested from 1702.

n. 1 Children’s toy where a figure pop out of a small box. 2 (context obsolete English) A con-man who deceived tradesmen by substituting empty boxes for others full of money.

1. n. plaything consisting of a toy clown that jumps out of a box when the lid is opened

2. [also: jacks-in-the-box (pl)]

A jack-in-the-box is a children's toy that outwardly consists of a box with a crank. When the crank is turned, it plays a melody, often " Pop Goes the Weasel". At the end of the tune there is a "surprise": the lid pops open and a figure, usually a clown or jester, pops out of the box. Some jack-in-the-boxes open at random times when cranked, making the startle even more effective. Many which use " Pop Goes the Weasel" open at the point in the melody where the word "pop" would be if it were sung.

Jack-in-the-Box is a fictional character in the comic book series Astro City. Created by writer Kurt Busiek and artists Brent Anderson and Alex Ross, Jack-in-the-Box is a prominent superhero of Astro City. He is motivated by a powerful desire for justice based on his own family history, with a strong sense of responsibility to society based on his expertise, capabilities and the sheer enjoyment of being a superhero. A conflicting sense of responsibility to his own family, however, combine with reminders of his own mortality to make him question his superheroic mission.

Jack-in-the-Box is a short story by American author Ray Bradbury, first published as part of the 1947 short story collection Dark Carnival. It was later collected in the magazine Avon Fantasy Reader and the anthologies Interplanet7: Fantascienza, The Small Assassin, Ghostly and Ghastly, and The Stories of Ray Bradbury.