'A Load Of Who Shot John' - Meaning and origin?

Subject: 'A Load Of Who Shot John>? Meaning and o
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 26 Jul 14 - 11:12 AM

I was watching television last night when the phrase 'Thats a Load of Who Shot John' was spoken. Now I've heard lots of American sayings and slang but never before heard this one. Can anyone tell me what it means, and what is its origin? I look forward to hearing from you. ROY

Subject: RE: 'A Load Of Who Shot John>? Meaning and o
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jul 14 - 11:33 AM

I believe the "A load of" is separate from the basic saying,
which is "Who Shot John".

"Okay," you may ask, "What's with this 'Who Shot John?' then?"

If that's it, then it's a reference to the situation where
there are competing claims about who gets blamed, like,
"Dick hit me first." answered by Dick with, "No, Ralph hit ME first."
And in either case, it's hard for an authority figure to sort out,
because of the competing and otherwise unsubstantiated claims.

So "It's a load of who shot John" is in effect saying, "We're
being fed a bunch of finger-pointing, with only personal claims either way."

Its origin? Damfino.

Dave Oesterreich

Subject: RE: 'A Load Of Who Shot John>? Meaning and o
From: Jeri
Date: 26 Jul 14 - 11:45 AM

In the phrase "A load of who shot John", remove "who" and "John" and replace the "o" in "shot" with an "i". I see it as similar to "shut the front door", in which "front" is replaced with another "f" word, and "door" can be replaced with "up". Most people (I believe) will figure out you're swearing without you actually having to swear.

Subject: RE: 'A Load Of Who Shot John>? Meaning and o
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 26 Jul 14 - 11:54 AM

Thanks, Dave. I thought that is the meaning, but I wasn't sure.

Subject: RE: 'A Load Of Who Shot John>? Meaning and o
From: Q (Frank Staplin)
Date: 26 Jul 14 - 12:30 PM

See the NY Times column, "On Language; Who Shot John?" by William Safire, Dec. 21, 1986, on line.

He discusses possible origins. The column also discusses a number of other expressions, such as "a Charleston butterfly," and "a Rocky Mountain canary."

Subject: RE: 'A Load Of Who Shot John>? Meaning and o
From: Jeri
Date: 26 Jul 14 - 02:34 PM

What everybody except me said. At least I learned something!

Subject: RE: 'A Load Of Who Shot John>? Meaning and o
From: BrooklynJay
Date: 26 Jul 14 - 06:26 PM

I always associated the phrase with American actor John Wayne:

In his last movie (The Shootist, 1976), he refers to whiskey as "Who Hit John". A number of years later, I was reading a book about Wayne (can't remember the title, sorry) and it seems the phrase was one he used in his private life to refer to booze. Adding it to the script of the movie was a sort of inside joke.

I never knew it had other origins. Interesting.


Jay

Subject: RE: 'A Load Of Who Shot John>? Meaning and o
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 27 Jul 14 - 05:34 AM

Thanks for your answers folks. I'm inclined to the Dave Oesterreich version seeing that the TV show I heard it in was a courtroom drama. Thanks again. Mudcat is the place for answers. ROY

Subject: RE: 'A Load Of Who Shot John>? Meaning and o
From: GUEST,#
Date: 27 Jul 14 - 08:48 AM

http://www.word-detective.com/2012/02/who-shot-john/

Subject: RE: 'A Load Of Who Shot John>? Meaning and o
From: GUEST,Me
Date: 18 Sep 17 - 08:09 AM

I'd say it simply means "A load of nonsense".

Subject: RE: 'A Load Of Who Shot John>? Meaning and o
From: GUEST,keberoxu
Date: 19 Sep 17 - 01:01 PM

The expression
"WHo shot John"
pops up in the memoirs of Minnesota Fats.

Subject: RE: 'A Load Of Who Shot John>? Meaning and o
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Sep 17 - 11:37 AM

Good ol' Judge Judy

Subject: RE: 'A Load Of Who Shot John>? Meaning and o
From: GUEST
Date: 26 Jun 19 - 03:28 PM

Coming from the South and many years in Texas, it is very simple. 'who shot John' refers to a long rambling explanation not really offering any clarification.