jacks

British  

/ dʒæks /

noun

1. Sometimes called: knucklebones.  (functioning as singular) a game in which bone, metal, or plastic pieces ( jackstones ) are thrown and then picked up in various groups between bounces or throws of a small ball

---

Etymology

Origin of jacks

C19: shortened from jackstones , variant of checkstones pebbles

Explanation

Jacks is a children's game in which you bounce a small ball and quickly scoop up game pieces. There's evidence that some form of jacks was even played in ancient Greece. Jacks goes by many names, including "knucklebones" and "fivestones." The original version was played with small stones, which were closely related to dice, and invented around the same time. In modern jacks, a player drops ten metal star-shaped pieces and then tries to scoop them up — first one at a time, then two at a time, and so on — after bouncing a ball, which is then caught before it hits the ground.

Example Sentences

“It’s like a hydraulic system. It really is very much like the jacks that push your car up, or something that an excavator might have,” Drew said.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

That includes Iran, which is straining under a historic drought made worse by years of mismanagement, while climate change jacks up temperatures and reduces rainfall.

From Salon • Mar. 17, 2026

His character, Tommy Norris, is the titular West Texas landman, an oil-company fixer juggling everything from exploding pump jacks and drug-cartel incursions, to tangled mineral-rights leases and constant family distractions.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 6, 2025

This mimics the recent flying of St George's flags and union jacks on England's streets.

From BBC • Aug. 25, 2025

During recess, Dolores, a girl from the B group, came over to join my A-group friends and me in a game of jacks.

From "March Forward, Girl" by Melba Pattillo Beals