Little John
1
7.4
- proper noun
- Literature
- Meet my cousin, Little John.
Examples
-
Thank you, Little John, but I'm sure we're not invited.
-
Wulf runs up to Little John in panic.
Fiction book (1991) -
Or should I call you 'Little John'?
Fiction book (1991) -
Robin Hood and Little John walking through the forest
-
Robin Hood and Little John running through the forest
-
Little John and Bull approach.
Fiction book (1991) -
Robin dismounts and runs to Little John.
Fiction book (1991) -
At a signal from Little John, the ex-outlaws shoot flaming arrows into the sky...
Fiction book (1991) -
Amidst the smoke and chaos, Little John's small band is gathered at the edge of the clearing.
Fiction book (1991) -
In the tales of Sherwood Forest, Little John is famed for his incredible strength and loyalty.
Surface Forms
Morphology
Little + John
Although constructed from the transparent words 'little' and 'John', the legendary character Little John is conventionally known for great size and strength, a meaning that contradicts the literal constituents. A B1 learner who only knows the words would likely infer 'a small John' rather than a large outlaw, so the actual sense cannot be derived without prior cultural or lexical knowledge.
Etymology
Little John may come from a joking contrast in old tales: he is called Little but is a very large, strong man who fights with a long staff. That's why the name now means 'Robin Hood's loyal, strong companion'.