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Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
John Q. Public

"average American citizen," attested from 1934.

Wikipedia
John Q. Public

John Q. Public (and several similar names; see the Variations section below) is a generic name in the United States to denote a hypothetical member of society deemed a " common man." He is presumed to represent the randomly selected "man on the street."

Usage examples of "john q. public".

I told him twice about that van, but he pooh-poohed the idea, said if he stopped to track down every half-assed theory the John Q. Public volunteered, he wouldn't get anything else done.

Me, a guaranteed table at Elaine's, more high-profile clients, and a big, juicy bank account, and Ultima, publicity that kept John Q. Public from finding out what kind of a monster he really was.

The guys in charge believe the shit-weasels are just a little too upsetting for John Q. Public.

Night and day, rain or shine, I am at the service of John Q. Public.

The powers that be frown on taking off the leg of John Q. Public just 'cause he fired at you.

Only rarely did John Q. Public hear of a conclusion to any of the endless number of human disasters that filled up the evening papers.

I have such a potpourri, Cap - photos, tapes, Xerox copies of documents that would make the blood of our good friend John Q. Public run cold.

I have such a potpourri, Cap-photos, tapes, Xerox copies of documents that would make the blood of our good friend John Q. Public run cold.