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Definition of John Bull noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

John Bull

noun
 
/ˌdʒɒn ˈbʊl/
 
/ˌdʒɑːn ˈbʊl/
[uncountable, countable] (old-fashioned)
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  1. used to refer to England or the English people, or to a typical Englishman
    Word Originlate 18th cent.: from the name of a character representing the English nation in John Arbuthnot's satire Law is a Bottomless Pit; or, the History of John Bull (1712).
CultureJohn Bull is usually shown in pictures as a fat man with a red face, wearing a top hat, a waistcoat and high boots. He also often has a bulldog, suggesting that he is like the dog in having a brave and independent character.see also the bulldog breed
trait
noun
 
 
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