John of Gaunt. Properly of Ghent, his birthplace, in Flanders.
John o’ Groat’s House. Formerly the most northern habitation on the mainland of Scotland, said to have been that of Johnny Groat, for the accommodation of travellers who wished to cross the ferry to the Orkney Isles. Its site may now be recognised by a green knoll.
Johnson’s Court. Although the great lexocographer[lexocographer], Dr Johnson, spent ten years of his life in this Fleet Street court, it was not named after him, but after another Johnson, whose property it was, and who also resided in it.
John Street. In the Adelphi, after the Christian name of one of the brothers Adam. In Piccadilly, after one of the family names of the Berkeleys, the ground landlords.
Joiner. The provincial term for one who in London is called a “Carpenter.” Literally a joiner of wooden building materials.
Joint Ring. Another name for a “Gimnal Ring.”
Joint-Stock Company. So called because the stock is vested jointly in many persons.
Jonathan’s. The original name of the Stock Exchange, after a coffee-house keeper whose house was the rendezvous of the earliest dealers in stock.
Jollies. The sailors’ nickname for the Marines, because they are about as useful to a ship as the “Jolly Boat” which floats behind it.
Jolly Boat. A corruption of “Jawl boat,” from the Danish jolle, a small boat.