Also: John Henry
Meaning of ‘Your (or one’s) John Hancock’
Your John Hancock is your signature; one’s signed named, as on a document.
Sentence Examples
“I need your John Hancock on this, doctor.”
“Just put your John Hancock right there on the line and the car is yours,” said the salesman.
“Before you put your John Hancock on a contract, you should have your lawyer go over it with a fine tooth comb.”
“We’ve had excellent results with ECT in the past. So if l can just get your John Hancock we’ll get underway.” — Requiem for a Dream (2000)
“Mr. Callahan, I need your John Hancock on these reports.” “John Hancock…It’s Herbie Hancock.” — Tommy Boy (1995)
Origin
Used since the mid-1800s, this idiom alludes to John Hancock’s prominent and conspicuous signature on the bottom of the Declaration of Independence. The variant, John Henry may be a simple substitution of a common name, although it could also recall the famous American folk hero, John Henry.
