Phrase Finder

Johnny-on-the-spot

Posted by R. Berg August 26, 2001In reply to PHRASE posted by T WILLIAMS on August 26, 2001

WHERE DID "JOHNNY ON THE SPOT" COME FROM?

The Dictionary of American Slang says it's been around since about 1895 but gives no further explanation of its origin. The name John and its relatives (Jacques, Jack, Johnny . . . ) turn up in many phrases to mean an unspecified male, as in John Doe.

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