Jack Sprat

"Jack Sprat" is a traditional English nursery rhyme about a married couple with complementary eating habits—he could eat no fat, she could eat no lean, and between them they "licked the platter clean."

Early Origins

The origins of "Jack Sprat" can be traced back to the mid-17th century as an English proverb. An early printed version appeared in John Clarke's collection of sayings in 1639, with a slightly different phrasing mentioning "Jack" and "Jull" together licking the dishes clean.

The saying gained widespread popularity as a nursery rhyme after its inclusion in "Mother Goose's Melody" around 1765. The name "Jack Sprat" itself was used in the 16th century to refer to people of small stature, and a "sprat" is also a type of small fish—perhaps suggesting someone insignificant or diminutive.

The King Charles I Theory

One popular interpretation suggests the rhyme is a veiled satire of King Charles I (reigned 1625-1649) and his wife, Queen Henrietta Maria:

• Jack (the King): Charles was reportedly left financially "lean" when Parliament refused to fund his war against Spain
• His wife (eating no lean): Henrietta Maria allegedly helped fill the coffers by imposing war taxes after Charles dissolved Parliament
• Licking the platter clean: Together, they extracted money from the English people through various means

King Charles I was known to be a short man, fitting the historical usage of "Jack Sprat" for small individuals.

The King John Theory

Another theory connects the rhyme to an earlier era:

• King John: Faced financial strains, including raising a hefty ransom for his brother Richard I ("the Lionheart")
• His wife Isabella (or Joan): Portrayed in some accounts as greedy, "eating all the fat"

This interpretation ties the rhyme to the Robin Hood legends and medieval English politics.

Simple Surface Meaning

On the surface, the rhyme simply describes a couple whose different dietary preferences result in no food being wasted. This straightforward reading offers lessons about:

• Complementary differences: What one person doesn't want, another values
• Partnership: Working together to achieve completeness
• Avoiding waste: Nothing is left behind

Enduring Appeal

Like many nursery rhymes, "Jack Sprat" works on multiple levels—as a simple children's verse about eating and as a potential commentary on historical figures. This richness has helped it endure for nearly four centuries.