[mysql] ERROR 1396 (HY000): Operation CREATE USER failed for 'jack'@'localhost'

If you use a DELETE statement on the mysql.user table in an attempt to remove a user, then attempt to re-establish the user with CREATE USER, you will get a 1396 error. Get rid of this error by running DROP USER 'username'@'host';

DELETE 
  FROM mysql.user 
 WHERE user = 'jack';

(You will get 1396 errors if you attempt to re-create jack)

CREATE USER 'jack'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY PASSWORD '*Fi47ytFF3CD5B14E7EjkjkkC1D3F8086A5C0-krn';

(Get out of this situation by running DROP USER)

DROP USER 'jack'@'localhost';

(I suppose FLUSH PRIVILEGES can't hurt, but definitely drop the user first.)