Whispering Jack en · PROPN
Etymology
Most famously associated with singer Whispering Jack Smith (1898-1950), but in earlier use as a nickname.
Meanings
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(informal) A person who vocalizes quietly, in a whispering manner, or, ironically, one who is loud and outspoken.
Under the lone operating streetlight, Whispering Jack comes into full view. . . . In his usual low tone, . . . Jack speaks in the manner that earned him his nickname.
2004, Ray Scott, Street Justice, →ISBN, page 55:Whispering Jack Reddington graduated from the Colorado School of Mines in 1899 and began his career as a mining engineer. His real passion however, was the transmission and amplification of sound waves.
c. 2009, B. J. Sears, “Reddington's Phonelescope”, in Professor Sears' Technological Rarities, retrieved 27 Jul 2014:Some referred to him as "Whispering Jack" for his booming voice while many others called him Pappy.
2005 December 28, “John Travis Garrett”, in ancestry.com, retrieved 27 Jul 2014:[T]he microphone enabled a Whispering Jack Smith to make a rhythmic mumble pass for singing and gave Bing Crosby a means of taking advantage of his casual, intimate style.
1981 March 8, John S. Wilson, “Barbara Cook—Pop and Polish”, in New York Times, retrieved 27 Jul 2014:Case 3 Whispering Jack: Jack was a quiet and perceptive young man who was well respected by his peers.
2002, J. John Loughran, Developing Reflective Practice, →ISBN, page 136:The two who sat at a table in an obscure corner of the room were the noted burglars "Whispering Jack" and "Jim the Cracksman," as they were nick-named by their associates.
1879 Jan., "A Night with Burglars" in Gleason's Monthly Companion, vol. 8, no. 1, p. 281 (Google preview)
Relateds
doubting Thomas · nervous Nellie · Silent Sam · gloomy Gus · Alibi Ike · good-time Charlie · Dapper Dan · plain Jane