Meanings
plural Sir Johns
- colloquialobsoleteA priest.
But how comes it to passe (may some say) that these poore Franciscans are more commonly flouted and played upon than the other fry of Friers? Verily it is not for want of examples as well of other Monks as of simple Sir Johns.
1808, John Jamieson, An Etymological Dictionary of the Scottish Language, volume 21 more example
a. 1555, John Bradford, letter to Richard Hopkins Who then, I say, will excuse these mass-gospellers' consciences? Will the Queen's highness? She shall then have more to do for herself than, without hearty and speedy repentance, she can ever be able to answer, though Peter, Paul, Mary, James, John, the Pope and all his prelates, take her part, with all the singing "Sir Johns" that ever were, are, and shall be.
Origin
Sir was formerly a common title of address for the clergy as a translation of Latin dominus, the term used for a bachelor of arts, originally in contradistinction from the magister, or master of arts.
Full word history & related roots →Rhymes & wordplay
Rhymes with Sir John
All rhymes →Cite this entry
Sir John. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Sir%20John
“Sir John.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Sir%20John. Accessed November 4, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Sir John,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Sir%20John.
Source: Sir John on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.