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Dear John

noun

, Informal.
  1. a letter from a woman informing her boyfriend or fiancé that she is ending their relationship or informing her husband that she wants a divorce:

    Nothing is worse for a soldier's morale than getting a Dear John.

  2. any letter terminating a relationship.

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Word History and Origins

Origin of Dear John1

First recorded in 1940–45

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gallimaufry

[gal-uh-maw-free ]

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