dear John

dear John
   the ending by a woman of an engagement or marriage
   In the Second World War, the missive of dismissal received by so many men serving abroad started formally rather than by using warmer appellations:
    The colonel concedes that he should have got out on receipt of his first 'Dear John' letter, particularly as this coincided with the break-up of the regiment. {Daily Telegraph, January 1984)
   The phrase is now used of such a decision communicated by any medium.

How not to say what you mean: A dictionary of euphemisms. . 2014.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Dear John — may refer to: Dear John letter, a break up letter to an absent boyfriend or husband Dear John Doe letter, a letter sent to a soldier s family notifying them the soldier has died. Contents 1 Film and television 2 Literature 3 Music …   Wikipedia

  • Dear John C. — Dear John C. Studio album by Elvin Jones Released 1965 …   Wikipedia

  • Dear John — Dear′ John′ n. inf a letter from a woman informing her boyfriend or husband that she is ending their relationship • Etymology: 1940–45 …   From formal English to slang

  • dear john — noun Usage: usually capitalized D&J : a letter (as to a soldier) in which a wife asks for a divorce or a girl friend breaks off an engagement or a friendship * * * Informal. 1. a letter from a woman informing her boyfriend or fiancé that she is… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Dear John — Informal. 1. a letter from a woman informing her boyfriend or fiancé that she is ending their relationship or informing her husband that she wants a divorce: Nothing is worse for a soldier s morale than getting a Dear John. 2. any letter… …   Universalium

  • Dear John (2010 film) — Dear John Theatrical release poster Directed by Lasse Hallström Produced by …   Wikipedia

  • Dear John (Status Quo song) — Dear John Single by Status Quo from the album 1+9+8+2 Released 19 March 1982 (1982 03 19) Format 7 inch vinyl …   Wikipedia

  • Dear John (novel) — Dear John is a novel by American writer Nicholas Sparks, released in 2006. Exposition The story starts by explaining John Tyree s childhood in Wilmington, North Carolina. He was raised by a single dad who suffers with Asperger s syndrome and also …   Wikipedia

  • Dear John letter — noun (informal; orig US) A letter from a woman to her husband or boyfriend ending their relationship • • • Main Entry: ↑dear * * * Dear John letter [Dear John letter] (also …   Useful english dictionary

  • Dear John (film) — Dear John (Swedish : Käre John ) is a 1964 Swedish film directed by Lars Magnus Lindgren. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.External links*imdb title|id=0058281|title=Dear John …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”