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It's No Bull... The Story of John Bull, Typical Englishman

© Judy Thomas

A reader asked for the origin of the term "Johnny Bull" as applied to Englishmen. In the East Indies, the character is referred to as "Bono Johnny."

"John Bull" first appears as a character in a series of satires by John Arbuthnot (1667-1735). Arbuthnot was a Scottish author, scientist, and doctor. His series of John Bull pamphlets, The History of John Bull, satired Whig policy (1712) and introduced "John Bull" as the typical Englishman -- "an honest plain-dealing fellow, choleric, bold, and of a very inconstant temper" (Law is a Bottomless Pit). "John Bull" is represented as a bluff, kindhearted, bull-headed farmer. He has often been presented as wearing a squat top hat, neckcloth, waistcoat with the British flag on it, tailcoat, tight breeches, and boots. In political cartoons, he compares to the United States' Uncle Sam. You can see a picture of "John Bull" at http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/british/.

I found that, rather than being a term of disrespect, as I had previously thought, many English found themselves bearing this term proudly. An English friend described the character as "steadfast in his attitude, always sticking his nose into things and being seen with a bulldog." When asked about the attitude of the British to "John Bull," she promptly replied, "Very favorable. He had a doggedly determined attitude."

W.D. Howells referred to "good looking young John Bull" and Washington Irving commented, "John Bull ... would set up a chop-house at the very gates of paradise" (Washington Irving: vol. i. chap. vi. p. 61). The phrase can also be found in writings by Dickens, Pope, Boswell, Carlyle, and many others, as well as in news reports and articles to this day.

The term has become adjective (John-Bullish) and noun (John-Bullishness and John-Bullism).

There once was a John Bull (1562/3?-1628). Far from being the model for Arbuthnot, however, the real John Bull was noted as one of the most accomplished keyboard player of his time. He served under Queen Elizabeth before being forced to flee England to avoid various charges. Not only did he perform on and compose for the virginal and organ, he also made them. His best known composition is "The King's Hunt," which is composed of "a series of dance movements, fantasias and song-variations, some of which make considerable demands on the performer."