However, 'Jack' was a name with pre-existing criminal connotations , as obvious as any which could possibly have been chosen, and threatening variants of the word 'Ripper' also existed (Sugden, 2002, pg 259); furthermore, it was common practice in the 1880s to sign letters 'Nemo' as an alternative to 'Anonymous' (Ryder, 2004, I), and the use of the expression 'Ha Ha' has been widespread since the