E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Hon’est (h silent).
Honest Jack Bannister. An actor in London for thirty-six years. (1760–1836.)
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“After his retirement he was once accosted by Sir George Rose, when Honest Jack, being on the other side of the street, cried out, ‘Stop a moment, Sir George, and I will come over to you.’ ‘No, no,’ replied his friend, ‘I never yet made you cross, and will not begin now.”—Grinsted: Relics of Genius.
