john (redirected from John III)

a Dear John letter

a letter a woman writes to her boyfriend telling him that she does not love him anymore. Bert got a Dear John letter today from Sally. He was devastated.

See also: dear, letter

one's John Henry and one's John Hancock

one's signature. Just put your John Henry on this line, and we'll bring your new car around.

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your John Hancock  (American humorous)

your signature

Usage notes: John Hancock's signature was the biggest signature on the American Declaration of Independence in 1776.

If you put your John Hancock on the last page we'll be finished with the formalities.

See also: Hancock

a Dear John letter  (humorous)

a letter that you send to a man telling him you want to end a romantic relationship with him I've always thought Dear John letters a cowardly way of ending a relationship.

See also: dear, letter

John Bull  (old-fashioned)

a character who represents a typical English man or the English people

Usage notes: This phrase comes from a book called The History of John Bull written by John Arbuthnot in 1712.

In the cartoon, John Bull appears as a short, stocky figure wearing a waistcoat with the British flag on.

See also: bull

John Doe  (American)

a man or boy whose real name must be kept secret or is not known, especially in a court of law The patient was referred to in court documents as John Doe.

See also: doe

John Q Public  (American humorous)

the public You have to ask yourself what John Q Public will think when he hears about the government overspending.

See also: public