Johnny-come-lately

Meaning of the phrase:

Origin of the phrase:

This expression may be derived from the older terms “Johnny Newcome” or “Johnny Raw,” both British phrases used to refer to newcomers or raw (new) recruits. The American version appeared a few years after the British one, and was apparently adopted by US sailors. The first record of it appears in American author Charles Fredrick Brigss’s The Adventures of Harry Franco, published 1839:

“But it’s Johnny Comelately, ain’t it, you?” said a young mizzen topman.”

At some point the meaning of the original term was extended to include anyone that is either new to something or a late-starter. The expression eventually made its way into other English-speaking countries and was used figuratively as early as September 2, 1862 in the Australian The Sydney Morning Herald: 

“Over he comes about ten o’clock, though he wasn’t the regular super, but only one in training like, and a regular Johnny-come-lately he was.”

It is unlikely that “Johnny” referred to a specific person. According to the Oxford English Dictionary “Johnny” or “Johnnie” were used “humorously or contemptuously” to describe “various classes of men” to mean “a fellow, chap.”