dramatic slang, to John Audley a play means to cut it down to a comfortable brevity.
1893. Emerson, Signor Lippo, v. One said, 'John Audley', that means leave off!
John-Barleycorn, subs. (common).—Beer. For synonyms see Drinks and Swipes.
1791. Burns, Tam O'Shanter. Inspiring, bold John Barleycorn.
John Blunt, subs. phr. (common).—A
plain-spoken man. See also
Jock Blunt.
John-Cheese, subs. (common).—A
clown. Also John Trot.
John Collins, subs. phr. (Australian).—See
quot.
1865. The Australasian, 24 Feb. p. 8. . . . That most angelic of drinks for a hot climate—a John Collins (a mixture of soda water, gin, sugar, lemon and ice).
John Chinaman, subs. phr. (old).—A
Chinaman; the Chinese collectively.
John Company, subs. phr. (old).—The
Hon. East India Company.
1808. Lord Minto in India, 184. Preparations to save Johnny Company's cash.
1852. Mem. Col. Maintain, 293. John Company whatever may be his faults is infinitely better than Downing street.
1880. Sat. Review, Feb. 14, p. 220. Doubt as to whether there were any such person as John Company.
John Davis, subs. (American).—Money:
otherwise Ready John.
For synonyms see ACTUAL and
Gilt.
Johnian, subs. (Cambridge university).—A
student of St. John's
College: also Johnian Pig or
Hog—see Hog, subs, sense 3.
Also as adj.: e.g. Johnian blazer,
Johnian melody etc.
1785. Grose, Vulg. Tongue, s.v. Hog . . . Jonian hogs an appellation given to the members of St. John's College Cambridge.
1829. Praed, Poems, 'The Vicar'. Sit in the Vicar's seat: you'll hear The doctrine of a gentle Johnian.
1841. Westminster Rev., xxxv. 236. The Johnians are always known as pigs. They put up a new organ the other day which was immediately christened 'Baconi Novum Organum.'
John Long the Carrier. To Stay
for (or send by) John Long
the Carrier, verb. phr. (old).—To
wait a long time; to postpone
for an indefinite time.
Johnnie (or Johnny), subs. (common).—1. A policeman: also Johnny Darby.
1851. Mayhew, Lond. Lab. &c. ii. 154. The Johnnys on the water are always on the look-out, and if they sees any on us about we has to cut our lucky.
1878. Besant and Rice, By Celia's Arbour, vi. We might run up and down the slopes or on the ramparts . . . without rebuke from the johnnies, the official guardians of the walls.
1886. Graphic, Jan. 30, p. 130, col. 1. Constables used to be known as Johnny Darbies, said to be a corruption of the French gensdarmes, and they are still occasionally called Johnnies.
2. (general).—An acquaintance; a young man about town. Also = a sweetheart, male or female: e.g. My Johnny.
1724-27. Ramsay, Bonny Tweedside, in Wks. ii. 245. And let us to Edinburgh go Where she that is bonny, May catch her a johnny, And never lead apes below.
1883. Punch, August 18, p. 84, col. 2. Ah! who is more brave than your johnny
