Dear John letter

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English

Etymology

While the exact origins of the phrase are unknown, it is commonly believed to have been invented by Americans during World War II. Large numbers of American troops were stationed overseas for many months or years, and as time passed many of their wives or girlfriends decided to begin a relationship with a new man rather than wait for their former one to return. As letters to servicemen from wives or girlfriends back home would typically contain affectionate language, a serviceman receiving a note beginning with a curt "Dear John" (as opposed to the expected "Dear Johnny", "My dearest John" or simply "Darling" for example) would instantly be aware of the letter's purpose. There are a number of theories on why the name John is used rather than any other. For starters, John was a common name in America at the time. John is also the name used in many other terms that refer to an anonymous man or men, such as John Doe or John Q. Public. Further, there existed prior to World War II a radio program starring Irene Rich which was presented as a letter written by a gossipy female character to her never-identified romantic interest. It was both titled and opened with the words "Dear John", and may have contributed to the genesis of the term.

Noun

Dear John letter (plural Dear John letters)

  1. A letter from a wife or girlfriend to her husband or boyfriend, informing that the relationship is over, often because the writer has initiated a relationship with someone else.
    Synonym: Dear John
    Coordinate term: Dear Jane letter
    Thirty years later in Vietnam, he was still carrying the Dear John letter he had received from his high-school sweetheart.
    • 1988, John Sullivan (lyrics and music), “Dear John”, in Dear John (American TV series), performed by Wendy Talbot:
      Dear John / Dear John / By the time you read these lines, I'll be gone / Life goes on / right or wrong / Now it's all been said and done, dear John / Seems we've sung love's last song, dear John / Seems we've sung love's last song, poor John / Seems we've sung love's last song, dear John

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