Definition & Meaning of "son of a jackal"in English

What is the origin of the term "son of a jackal" and how is it used?

"Son of a jackal" is a slang insult used to describe a person regarded as vile, cruel, or morally repulsive. It draws on the jackal's reputation in various cultures as a scavenger, trickster, or cowardly predator, combining it with "son of" to attack the person's character by implying they inherit these negative traits. The phrase likely emerged in English in the 19th–20th centuries through literary, colonial, or informal usage. It is strongly derogatory, used in hostile, dramatic, or expressive contexts, and is intended to condemn or provoke disgust toward the person it targets.