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• John Hancock
  John Hancock

  noun

  1737–93, American statesman: first signer of the Declaration of Independence.
• Hancock, John
  Hancock, John

  A political leader of the eighteenth century. He was president of the Continental Congress when the Declaration of Independence was signed, and was the first to sign it, which he did with a large, flamboyant signature.

John Hancock

American  

[jon han-kok] / ˈdʒɒn ˈhæn kɒk /

noun

1. 1737–93, American statesman: first signer of the Declaration of Independence.

2. Informal. a person's signature.

   Put your John Hancock on this check.

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John Hancock British  

noun

1. Also called: John Henry.  informal a person's signature

   put your John Hancock on this form

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John Hancock ¹ Cultural  

1. A signature: “Please help us out and put your John Hancock on our petition.” The expression refers to the bold signature that John Hancock wrote on the Declaration of Independence.

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Hancock, John ² Cultural  

1. A political leader of the eighteenth century. He was president of the Continental Congress when the Declaration of Independence was signed, and was the first to sign it, which he did with a large, flamboyant signature.

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John Hancock Idioms  

1. Also, John Henry. One's signature, as in Just put your John Hancock on the dotted line. This expression alludes to John Hancock's prominent signature on the Declaration of Independence. The variant simply substitutes a common name for “Hancock.” [Mid-1800s]

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Discover More

A “John Hancock” is a signature.

Etymology

Origin of John Hancock

An Americanism dating back to 1840–50, so called from the boldness and legibility of John Hancock's signature

Example Sentences

Documents from such historical figures as John Hancock are shown alongside those from ordinary individuals to show the ways this pivotal period was experienced by all strata of society.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

“The Fed is going to have to deliver a dovish tone to keep that going,” said Matt Miskin, co-chief investment strategist at Manulife John Hancock Investments.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 9, 2025

Members of Gen Z, who were born between 1997 and 2012, believe the ideal retirement age is 59, according to a Manulife John Hancock Retirement report released Tuesday.

From MarketWatch • Nov. 18, 2025

But it turned out to be his John Hancock alongside a bunch of others on a whiteboard in a room facing the parking lot.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2025

Johnny saw the same gray horse and gig, with the arms upon the door, that had carried John Hancock to the Laphams’ last July, trot quickly down King Street onto Long Wharf.

From "Johnny Tremain" by Esther Hoskins Forbes