"Jump" - "How High?" - mental image and meaning [closed]
If I am in a combat scenario and someone told me to jump (because something is trying to take my feet out from beneath me / the ground is breaking apart beneath me), then it would be the height of stupidity to stand around dumbly and ask 'how high?' instead of just reacting
The whole point is that the command "Jump!" comes out of nowhere.
They are not in a situation where jumping is required, expected, or normal. Imagine them just walking down some supermarket's aisle shopping for stuff, among other shoppers. For no reason at all the boss commands "jump." That's such a weird thing to command at that moment, it's absurd... so obviously the subordinate asks "how high?"
Do you see how it's a betrayal of expectation that he asks "how high?" and not "why?"
That's part of why this adage is successful, because it sets up that the subordinate is asking a question, and the question that the reader/listener would expect to hear asked of a preposterous, stupid, unwarranted command is "why on earth would you want me to do that?" or even "why should I do that?"
But the reader/listener is surprised by the ACTUAL question that the subordinate asks, which ends up leaving in their minds a stronger emotional impression than the boring "Jump!" // *jumps* would.
It's a powerful, memorable, example of absolute loyalty.
I am trying to figure out how asking 'how high?' when being told to jump, is a signal of trust instead of stupidity
Okay, practically this story: "We were walking down the aisle, the boss said 'Jump!' and I instantly jumped" might technically be a better demonstration of obedience, but it doesn't subvert any kinds of expectations like the original does, doesn't play on common patterns (call-and-response), it doesn't enjoy any of the advantages of the actual adage that make it so memorable.
I would also say that perhaps the metaphor is not just used to establish the subordinate as a mindless robotic servant, but as an unwaveringly loyal human striving to acquiesce to every requirement of his liege. So asking for specification "how high?" could imply that the subordinate is aware of their subservient status, happy about it, and is even proactive to reinforce it. It's a stronger kind of loyalty than the "logical" instant-acquiescence is ("Jump!" // I must be in danger! *jumps*).
I think you are meant to understand "Jump!" as an order to do some task for an unspecified reason, rather than a warning to take evasive action. Instead of questioning the reason, B simply asks for details of the required action.
This expression can be used in a couple of different ways.
When I says "JUMP!" you ask "How high?"
In this case, a person is telling you that he is in charge, and you must obey without question. The stereotypical example is a drill sergeant yelling something like this at a trainee who has not responded quickly enough to an order, but it's also used by obnoxious bosses or by people trying to assert authority.
My personal belief is this originated as "When I say Jump, you Jump!, Don't ask how high" but the "How high" part emerged later as a way to emphasize the need for proactive compliance.
If John tells Fred to Jump, Fred will ask "how high". In this case, the speaker is saying that Fred is the sort of person who will quickly obey a command from John. It implies not just obedience, but an obsequious, fawning obedience, a desire to please John by going beyond what is asked. The motive for this obedience could be fear, or could be admiration.
Usually this means that Fred is not only willing to obey John, but actually wants to please him by going above and beyond the original request. Fred is not just obeying the command, he's offering to jump to a specific height.
Having been in the military where (I think) this phrase originated, I think the other answers all kind of miss the point a little bit.
The point of basic training in the military is to break you down and then build you up again. The breaking down involves getting rid of things that were normal in the civilian world but out of place in the military, especially for a new recruit.
Thinking for yourself is high up on that list. You don't know squat about combat or anything else and thinking for yourself is only going to get you or, worse, someone else killed.
When told to jump, you don't ask "why?" because you are too ignorant to even need to know why. Further, you're not even knowledgeable enough to know how high to jump, so you better ask.
So asking "how high?" is a combination of obedience and acknowledgment of your lack of expertise.
As @Kate says, "Jump!" is simply an example of a task. There are three possible responses:
- You jump (follow whatever the instruction was), without question.
- You ask "How high?" indicating a willingness to do it, but wanting more input.
- You ask "Why?"
or you simply refuse (4), which is rather out of scope here.
I've normally heard it as "When Person A asks you to jump, don't even ask 'How high?'" — that is, just do whatever is ordered. Don't even think of possibility 3, let alone 4. Person A is not be trifled with.
In your example, it's slightly different, as B won't do 3 (or 4): he's always willing to do whatever A tells him. As you say, that attitude might be praised or scorned.