Meaning: A signature; named after one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Examples:

I’m going to need your John Hancock on these documents.

If we don’t get employees’ John Hancocks on their time sheets they won’t get paid!

I won’t put my John Hancock on this contract until some changes have been made!

Pop Quiz:

Why do you think this idiom is named after John Hancock?

A.  Because he was the most important person among the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

B.  Because he had a big, beautiful signature.

C.  Because his name was easy to spell.

To see the correct answer, click on “Continue reading”:

The correct answer is B. The picture should have been a dead give-away!