John Q. Public (and several similar names; see the Variations section below) is a generic name in the United States to denote a hypothetical member of society deemed a "common man." He is presumed to represent the randomly selected "man on the street."
Read more about John Q. Public: Variations, Usage, History, Other English-speaking Countries, Variants in Other Countries
Famous quotes containing the word public:
“Instead of offering the Indians a chance to surrender, and to be taken peaceably, General Connor issued a very cruel order to his men—’Take no prisoners, fight to the death; nits breed lice.’”
—State of Utah, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)