noun General Slang

Dear John

/dɪr dʒɒn/ · noun · informal

The breakup letter every soldier dreaded — the homefront sweetheart calling it off while he's away.

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Definitions

1

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.”
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2

Used adjectivally for the act or genre of long-distance dumping.

“It was a classic Dear John situation — no warning, just the letter.”
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3

Any breakup delivered in writing rather than in person.

“She left him a Dear John on the kitchen table.”
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Dear John In A Sentence

The mail call everyone feared was the Dear John envelope.
He read his Dear John twice, then folded it into his pocket.
Getting a Dear John overseas was the loneliest kind of news.

Origin & Usage

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.

Variants Dear John letter
Tags #1940s#wartime#swing#vintage#romance#homefront

People Also Ask

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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