John Bull

noun

ˈjän-ˈbu̇l How to pronounce John Bull (audio)
1
: the English nation personified : the English people
2
: a typical Englishman
John Bullish
ˈjän-ˈbu̇-lish How to pronounce John Bull (audio)
adjective
John Bullishness noun
John Bullism
ˈjän-ˈbu̇-ˌli-zəm How to pronounce John Bull (audio)
noun

Word History

Etymology

John Bull, character typifying the English nation in The History of John Bull (1712) by John Arbuthnot

First Known Use

1748, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of John Bull was in 1748

Dictionary Entries Near John Bull

John Brown

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Cite this Entry

“John Bull.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/John%20Bull. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about John Bull

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