John Blunt, a person who prides himself on his brusqueness, and in speaking unpleasant truths in the rudest manner possible. He not only calls a spade a spade, but he does it in an offensive tone and manner.
John Bull, the national name for an Englishman, (See Bull).
John Chinaman, a Chinese.
John Company, the old East India Company.
In old times, John Company employed nearly 4000 men in warehouses.—Old and New London, ii (185).
John Grueby, the honest, faithful servant of Lord George Gordon, who wished “the blessed old creatur, named Bloody Mary, had never been born.” He had the habit of looking “a long way off.” John loved his master, but hated his religious craze.
“Between Bloody Marys, and blue cockades, and glorious Queen Besses, and no poperys, and Protestant associations,” said Grueby to himself, “I believe my lord’s half off his head.”—Dickens, Barnaby Rudge, xxxvi.
John of Bruges, (1 syl.) John Van Eyck, the Flemish painter (1370-1441).
John o’ Groat, a Dutchman, who settled in the most northerly part of Scotland, in the reign of James IV. He is immortalized by the way he settled an open dispute among his nine sons respecting precedency. He had nine doors made to his cottage, one for each son, and they sat at a round table.
From John o’ Groat’s house to the Land’s End, from furthest north to furthest south of the island, i. e. through its entire length.