jack lattin, n. — Green’s Dictionary of Slang

jack lattin n.

also jack latten

[John Lattin of Morristown House, Co. Kildare, won a bet after dancing, as wagered, a distance of over 32km (20 miles), changing his dance-step every furlong; his feat created the rhyme: ‘Jack Lattin, dressed in satin, / Broke his heart of dancing’]

In phrases

before you could say Jack Lattin

very quickly.

1829

Exeter & Plymouth Gaz. 5 Sept. 4/2: Id was all nonsense wid me, so afore you could say Jack Lattin, I caught him wid my left hand under the ear.

make someone dance Jack Lattin (v.)

(Irish) a threat of punishment.

1910		P.W. Joyce Eng. As We Speak It In Ireland (1979) 172: I’ll make you dance Jack Lattin.
1922		Joyce Ulysses 443: I’ll make it hot for you! I’ll make you dance Jack Latten for that.
1981		R. Park Frost & Fire 40: You’ll have to get it [i.e. a washing-machine] out of the doctor’s stable-yard without a sound, or he’ll make you dance Jack Lattin.