Tom, Dick, and Harry

Tom, Dick, and Harry

Common, undistinguished people; any manner of person, indiscriminately. (Usually in the form "every Tom, Dick, and Harry.") You don't want Tom, Dick, and Harry coming to your performance, but then you don't want to limit the amount of business you might bring in, either. Kate's being very selective as to who gets invited to the wedding, as she doesn't want Tom, Dick, and Harry to end up coming.

See also: and, harry

(every) Tom, Dick, and Harry

 and any Tom, Dick, and Harry

Fig. everyone, without discrimination; ordinary people. (Not necessarily males.) The golf club is very exclusive. They don't let any Tom, Dick, or Harry join. Mary's sending out very few invitations. She doesn't want every Tom, Dick, and Harry turning up.

See also: and, harry

Tom, Dick, and Harry

used to refer to ordinary people in general.

This expression is first recorded in an 18th-century song: ‘Farewell, Tom, Dick, and Harry. Farewell, Moll, Nell, and Sue’. It is generally used in mildly derogatory contexts (he didn't want every Tom, Dick, and Harry knowing their business ) to suggest a large number of ordinary or undistinguished people.

See also: and, harry