minute-jack

noun — 2 senses

noun

A figure which strikes the hour on the bell of some fanciful clocks; Jack o' the clock.

Obsolete A timeserver; an inconstant person.

Cap-and-knee slaves, vapours, and minute-jacks!c. 1605–1608 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Tymon of Athens”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene vi]:

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