Honest John

American  

noun

1. Informal.

   1. an honest, sincere man.

   2. a man so trusting and innocent that he may be easily cheated or deceived.

2. a surface-to-surface, single-stage U.S. artillery rocket.

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Etymology

Origin of Honest John

First recorded in 1930–35

Example Sentences

I remember standing backstage, and Honest John brought Bob Sumner up to me.

From Salon • Mar. 23, 2023

That differs from the unconvincing digital form that organic creatures like Jiminy, Honest John, a bipedal fox; or Geppetto’s cat Figaro assume through 21st century technology.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 8, 2022

His opponent was a white northerner called, ironically, Honest John Patterson.

From Slate • Jan. 31, 2018

Motoring journalist Honest John offers a glib dismissal.

From BBC • May 10, 2010

The wrath of a man who is slow to anger cannot lightly be turned aside and, though Virginia drooped her lashes, the son of Honest John brushed past her without a word.

From Shadow Mountain by Coolidge, Dane