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stranger
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Does anyone know how the expression "Tom, Dick and Harry" came about? A friend of mine seems to think it originated in a movie. I'm not so sure. Any ideas?
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Hello and welcome, scottrm!
Brewer says: A Victorian term for the "man in the street", more particularly, persons of no note.
There are no citations [in Brewer] to support this.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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originated in a movieHi Scottrm Don't quite believe this can have been the point of origin, since very little in movies is other than referential!  Here's a mention of the Ginger Rogers movie: http://www.videoflicks.com/VF2/1021/1021620.ihtmlDo you know the origin, Bingley, tsuwm, anyone?
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stranger
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I suspected as much. Thanks for responding!
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Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
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Hi there Scott - welcome aboard.
This phrase was definitely in use before films - or even photography - had been invented. I suspect that it might even be pre-Victorian, although there is no doubt that it was in use then - with the meaning given above -"Every Tom, Dick and Harry will be there."
The three names were probably chosen for a) the frequency that they were used as names, and b) the euphonius sound - almost poetic, as Dylan Thomas realised when he utilized them for Polly Garter's song (apart from the connotation that every T,D & H went with Polly)
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Rhu's explanation makes sense. It is similar to the use of Mr. Smith as a pseudonym. It is used a lot in comedic movies when a couple wants to register at a hotel without giving their real name since they are not married, or are married to someone else . They register under Mr. and Mrs. Smith. It is also used to mean a Mister Everyman.
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Carpal Tunnel
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the earliest citation from OED is this:
1734 Vocal Miscellany (ed. 2) I. 332 "Farewell, Tom, Dick, and Harry, Farewell, Moll, Nell, and Sue."
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veteran
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Smith...also used to mean a Mister Everyman
- a bit like "John Doe" in the US, perhaps? Only I feel sure that's an invented name rather than one that was genuinely common at some point in time. More "any man" than "every man". Is that a valid supposition?
I wonder what a modern equivalent for Tom, Dick and Harry would be. Actually, I dread to think!
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I wonder what a modern equivalent for Tom, Dick and Harry would be.
Mike, John, and Chris.
Look at the biblical influences in that!
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<modern equivalent for Tom, Dick and Harry >
Bruce, Bruce and Bruce [in Australia, according to Monty Python]
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