English idioms with names

Today, as part of our English lessons, we will talk about English idioms with names.

John

John is one of the most common English names. Perhaps that is why it gave rise to so many interesting idioms, and the fictional and quite real Johns turned into nominal characters:

John Q. Public or John Q. Citizen (comrade or citizen, John Q.) - Americanism, denoting the average citizen, ordinary person. By the way, the average citizen is called Jane Q. Public.
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John Hancock (John Hancock) - the name of this American statesman, whose sweeping signature under the Declaration of Independence of the United States has become universally known, has become a common noun and is used to refer to any signature at all. We jokingly say "put a squiggle", and the Americans ask "put your john hencock", also in jest, of course.

John Doe (John Doe) - the one whose identity can not be established (about the offender, unidentified body or a serious patient in the hospital). In England in the first half of the 19th century, lawsuits on the seizure of property were fabricated on this behalf.

Johnny-on-the-spot (Johnny-at-the-ready) - outdated Americanism. So called a man who is always ready to help at the right time. Russian analogue - "magic wand".

Dear John letter is a letter of termination that begins with the traditional friendly treatment. Originally, letters were so called that they sent to the American military their brides or wives.

Jack

Jack the Lad (Friends of Jack) - so say the British about the self-confident, rude and cheeky young man.

Before you can say Jack Robinson (literally "faster than you say" Jack Robinson ") - very quickly, you do not have time to say a word. Who is Jack Robinson, no one remembers.

Jack-of-all-trades - depending on the context, it can be translated by an approving "handyman" or joking, "and the Swiss, and the reaper, and the igrets on the dude."

Jack Frost (Jack Frost) - American folk character, bringing the winter frost. Analogue of Russian "Frost Red Nose".

Jack-in-office is an important petty official, a bureaucrat, a bureaucrat.

Jack-in-the-box (Jack out of the box) - this popular child's toy is also called “devil out of the box” or “skipjack” (when the lid opens, a figurine on a spring pops out of the box).

And now everyone is dancing!

every Tom, Dick, and Harry - whoever, anyone, anyone. If you are told that Tom, Dick, and Harry can fix it, then there is nothing to repair, any baby can handle it.

to keep up with the Joneses - try to be no worse than neighbors, "no worse than people".

happy as Larry - very happy, already glowing.

simple Simon - a dupe (after the name of the hero from the child’s counting).

rob Peter to pay Paul (literally “rob Peter to pay Pavel”) - re-charge; take from one to give to another.

let George do it! - let others do it!

a plain Jane is an unattractive girl.

nosy Parker is one who pokes his nose everywhere.

Material from the Lingvo Facebook page .