But why Jumping Jacks are called Jumping Jacks?
You've probably done jumping jacks countless times, but why Jumping Jacks are called Jumping Jacks? While many believe the exercise was named after US Military General John J. "Black Jack" Pershing, but the true inspiration is much more playful.
The Jumping Jack Toy
Imagine a wooden figure with jointed arms and legs, attached to strings. When you pulled those strings, the figure's arms and legs would swing back and forth, much like the motion of the exercise we know today. Jumping jacks were popular in many contemporary countries including England, France, and Germany, but similar mechanical toys date back to the Ancient Egyptians also.
The toy was know as ‘Pantins’ in France and ‘Hamplemann’ in Germany. The word ‘quockerwodger’ was inspired from this toy and it translates as "a wooden puppet which can be made to 'dance' by pulling its strings". By analogy, quockerwodger came to be used as a negative appellation for a politician whose "strings" are pulled entirely by their own "puppetmaster". This word was once popularised in India by Dr. Shashi Tharoor through his twitter handle.
While the children's toy theory seems more likely, there's another explanation tied to General Pershing. It's said that he incorporated jumping jacks into military training, earning the exercise its association with his nickname which is “Black Jack”. However, historical evidence suggests the toy-inspired theory holds more weight.
So, which theory is true?
While the exact origin remains a bit of a mystery, the playful nature of the children's toy aligns perfectly with the movement of jumping jacks. Regardless, this exercise has stood the test of time and remains a staple in fitness routines worldwide.
Next time you're sweating it out with some jumping jacks, remember the playful inspiration behind this classic move! 🎪🤸♂️
Until next time, #StayCurious
Alan Sam
Dude, I never knew why they're called Jumping Jacks until I read your article. It's cool how you dug into the backstory and made it all clear. Keep dropping these interesting facts, man, they're awesome!
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