General
dear john
What does dear john mean?
A letter sent to a serviceman ending a romantic relationship while he is away on duty, typically opening with the cold formality 'Dear John.'
"He got a Dear John two weeks before his tour ended."
Origin
American slang that arose during WWII in the 1940s, when servicemen stationed far from home received breakup letters from sweethearts. The formal 'Dear John' greeting signaled bad news before the letter even began.
Frequently asked questions
What does Dear John mean?
A letter ending a romantic relationship, especially one sent to a soldier serving away from home.
Where did Dear John come from?
From WWII America in the 1940s, when servicemen overseas received breakup letters opening with the cold 'Dear John' greeting.
Why 'John' specifically?
'John' stood in as a generic name for the serviceman; the formal address tipped him off that affection had cooled.
Is the term still used?
Yes — 'Dear John letter' is still common for any written breakup.
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