Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id NAA29217 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk); Mon, 20 Nov 2000 13:59:53 GMT Message-ID: <2D1C159B783DD211808A006008062D3101745B20@inchna.stir.ac.uk> From: Vincent Campbell <v.p.campbell@stir.ac.uk> To: "'memetics@mmu.ac.uk'" <memetics@mmu.ac.uk> Subject: RE: John Hancock "meme" Date: Mon, 20 Nov 2000 13:57:59 -0000 X-Mailer: Internet Mail Service (5.5.2650.21) Content-Type: text/plain Sender: fmb-majordomo@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
I think the origins of this expression as identified by Richard and others,
would give a strong clue as to whether or not it's used in the UK!
The linking of names to certain behaviours, or as expressions, is
widespread. 'Gordon Bennett' used to be a very popular mild form of
expletive in the UK. It's not so widely used today, and I don't know where
it came from.
Of course, for slang in the English language, the Australians have taken it
to new heights by trying to reduce every word to either one or two syllables
(e.g. University becomes Uni, Tattoo becomes Tat, sausage becomes snag etc.
etc). Anyone know whether that could make Australian English a more
efficient version?
Vincent
> ----------
> From: Scott Chase
> Reply To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
> Sent: Saturday, November 18, 2000 3:49 pm
> To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
> Subject: John Hancock "meme"
>
> Here in the states we have this saying (a "meme" if you will) where when
> someone wants you to sign something they say: "You can put your John
> Hancock right here." I wonder where this saying originated [eg] and
> whether the Brits also use it when they want someone to sign a document
> (something like a declaration I think) ;-)
>
> Scott (my "John Hancock")
>
>
>
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This was distributed via the memetics list associated with the
Journal of Memetics - Evolutionary Models of Information Transmission
For information about the journal and the list (e.g. unsubscribing)
see: http://www.cpm.mmu.ac.uk/jom-emit
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