† herb John Obs.
[transl. med.L. herba Johannis, F. herbe de Saint-Jean, in sense 1.]
1. St. John's-wort, Hypericum perforatum.
| [c 1265 Voc. Plants in Wr.-Wülcker 557/18 Ypis, herbe Johan, uelderude.] c 1440 Promp. Parv. 140/2 Erbe Ion, or Seynt Ionys worte, perforata, fuga demonum, ypericon. c 1460 J. Russell Bk. Nurture 992 Walle wort, herbe Iohn, Sentory, rybbewort, & camamelle. |
2. App. a name for some tasteless herb of neutral qualities; hence applied, in proverbial phrases, to something inert or indifferent.
[Cotgrave has: Herbe de S. Iean, thin-leaued Mugwort; some also call Clarie so.]
| 1614 T. Adams Devil's Banquet 307 Balme, with the destitution of Gods blessing, doth as much good, as a branch of hearbe-Iohn in our Pottage. 1620 Bp. Hall Hon. Mar. Clergy ii. i, As for that parcell of the testimonie..it is a Herbe-Iohn in the pot to the purpose of my allegation. 1658 W. Gurnall Chr. in Arm. verse 14. ii. (1669) 12/1 Like Herb-John in the pot, that does neither much good nor hurt. 1679 Hist. Jetzer 33 The Bishop of Lausanne, being a Flegmatick and heavy piece, moved slowly, and was herb John in the whole proceeding. |