John Q. Public

American  

noun

1. the average or typical U.S. citizen.

   an entertainment aimed at Mr. and Mrs. John Q. Public.

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John Q. Public Idioms  

1. see under John Doe.

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Etymology

Origin of John Q. Public

An Americanism dating back to 1935–40

Example Sentences

It’s one thing to have John Q. Public, who reads and watches certain news outlets where you’ve appeared, mistake you for someone else.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 23, 2025

The lieutenant governor was in Abilene last week, though you, Joan and John Q. Public, probably missed him.

From Washington Times • Sep. 11, 2018

They know as much as John Q. Public and a free society, you can allow this comment to be made, and as a citizen you can absorb it or dismiss it—it’s that simple.”

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2017

The case was initially reported by John Q. Public, an independent blog that focuses on the Air Force.

From Washington Post • Aug. 26, 2016

And because Mister John Q. Public contacts these ne'er-do-wells and romancers, he forms wrong estimates of the business.

From David Lannarck, Midget An Adventure Story by Harney, George S.