此典故源自于一个英语童谣和故事,最初是法国大革命时期的歌谣,Jack和Jill暗指路易16国王和他的皇后玛丽,他们都是被断头的.但是后来,歌谣传来传去,不再有原来的意思,更像是儿童诗歌.
诗歌是这样的：
Jack and Jill went up the hill to fetch a pail of water
Jack fell down and broke his crown
And Jill came tumbling after.
Up got Jack,and home did trot
As fast as he could caper
He went to bed and bound his head
With vinegar and brown pape