john meaning (slang): definition, etymology and quotations

john

nounalso spelled John

US /ˈd͡ʒɑn/ · UK /ˈd͡ʒɒn/

Etymology From the male given name John (q.v.), whose ubiquity led to extensive use of the name in generic contexts. Its use for toilets derives from John and Cousin John, which both probably relate to jacques and jakes, used in equivalent senses by the British and Irish.

US, Slang A prostitute's client.

The girls sat there while the johns (customers) moped around giving them the once-over.1946, Milton “Mezz” Mezzrow, Bernard Wolfe, “Not too Far Tangent”, in Really the Blues, New York, N.Y.: Random House, book 1 (1899–1923: A Nothin’ but a Child), page 22:
Well she's black as coal, but she burn like a fire, And she wrap herself around you like a well-worn tire. You feel her nail scratch your back just like a rake, Oh oh, he one more gone, he one more john who make the mistake.1975, “Island Girl”, in Bernie Taupin (lyrics), Rock of the Westies, performed by Elton John:

2 more examples

In the first part of the video, Thad sucks the john's cock and takes a load in his mouth.2004, Dennis Cooper, The Sluts, page 233:
In-calls, where the john comes to the prostitute’s residence, are prohibited.2013, McLachlin CJ, Canada (Attorney General) v. Bedford (2013 SCC 72), para. 62

US, Slang A device or place for urination and defecation: now usually a toilet or lavatory, but also (dated) a chamber pot or outhouse.

Slang A Western man traveling in East Asia.

A male mule.

Derived terms: johnny house, john school, long john, long johns, poor-john, portajohn, port-o-john, rent-a-john, square john, whisky john
Related terms: roti john

John

noun

UK /d͡ʒɒn/ · US /d͡ʒɑn/

Etymology From Middle English John, Johan, Johannes, from Anglo-Norman Jehan, Johan, and also Old English Iohannes, both from Late Latin Iōhannēs, variant of Latin Iōannēs, from Koine Greek Ἰωάννης (Iōánnēs), from Biblical Hebrew יוֹחָנָן (Yôḥānān), perhaps contracted from a former יְהוֹחָנָן (Yəhōḥānān, “God is gracious”). Doublet of Jack, Jon, Johan, Johann, Johannes, Jean, Sean, Shane, Shaun, Ian, Ivan, Evan, Juan, Giovanni, and Yahya.

Government, Military, Politics, War UK, Slang A new recruit at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

I and the other "Johns," as I soon discovered all new-comers at Sandhurst were, and are still, styled, although at the time I was unconscious of it, managed to troop in after the A company, but although not two minutes after them, found all the different messes already seated and hard at work.1842, The United Service Magazine:
To avoid bullying, first-year “Johns” (from Johnny Raw) “fagged” for senior classmen known as “Regs.” Fagging included making beds, running messages, and smuggling contraband.2017, Verity McInnis, Women of Empire:

US, Archaic, Slang Alternative letter-case form of john (“a toilet, lavatory, outhouse, chamber pot”).

Video games An excuse, chiefly made by a losing player for their poor performance.

Super Smash Bros.

Remember, no Johns.
This is the sound of a John. A John. He wants to wait.2005 December 3, 3:53 from the start, in NO JOHNS, spoken by John Michael "SOS" Howard, published 6 June 2007 via YouTube, archived from the original on 24 Oct 2024:

4 more examples

Bursting from the inaudible chatter of many smiling faces, a thunderous voice emerges, “No Johns, son!”2009, Daniel O'hair, “A Smashing Experience”, in Jennifer Oato, editor, Klipsun Magazine, volume 40, number 1, archived from the original on 20 Jun 2016, page 10:
You never know, I might show up to challenge you someday. And if we ever do get to go head to head: Please, no Johns.2014, 0:47 from the start, in Smash Bros. - Reggie's Message to Fans - Evo 2014, spoken by Reggie Fils-Aimé, IGN, via YouTube, archived from the original on 18 Jul 2014:
I didn’t get any hand warmers. I didn’t warm up properly. I didn’t get enough sleep last night. There’s television lag. These are some of the Johns that [D'ron "D1"] Maingrette says he’s heard over the years.2019 September 16, Cecilia D'Anastasio, “How A High School Smash Bros. Joke Became A World-Famous Saying”, in Kotaku, archived from the original on 23 Nov 2019:
Some "Johns" have become universal among Smash players. Some prominent "Johns" include: controller issues, not enough sleep, food, or water, a cold venue, or a lack of warmup time.2020 May 23, Abbie Rappaport, “"Melee is Broken": Super Smash Bros. Melee: An Interdisciplinary Esports Ethnography”, in spectrum.library.concordia.ca, Concordia University, archived from the original on 24 Oct 2022:

Derived terms: Cousin John