John Hancock (US), John Henry (UK)
noun phrase (informal)

- a person's signature

- an autograph signature

- John Hancock is one of the oldest life insurance companies in the US

Cambridge Dictionary / Merriam-Webster

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PHRASE ORIGIN

The term “John Hancock” — colloquial for "signature" — stems from the Boston merchant and rebel (1736-1793), and first signatory of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. The extended sense is from his signing that dangerous document first and most flamboyantly.

The legend says that Hancock signed the Declaration in a big way to taunt the King of England, stating that “King George will be able to read that!” In reality, Hancock was the first to sign in a matter fitting for the president of the Congress. And only one other person was in the room when he signed it, unlike in that famous painting that shows a group of patriots witnessing the event. Hancock did however take a big risk, his signature was evidence of treason if things didn’t go well in the war!

https://plannersweb.com/2012/12/what-is-your-communitys-john-hancock/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_of_Independence_%28painting%29

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THE EVER-CHANGING INKWELL

For millennia, humans have used distinctive marks and symbols to represent their identities on important documents and artifacts. From etchings on ancient clay tablets to wax seals on scrolls, our ancestors developed unique ways to "sign" and validate items of significance. As writing and record-keeping advanced, the quintessential cursive signature emerged as the preeminent way to affix one's name and personal brand.

However, the rise of the digital age is driving one of the most transformative shifts in how we indicate our identities and authorize transactions. The traditional pen-and-ink signature is being rapidly supplanted by electronic equivalents more suited to a digital world. Encryption protocols, biometrics, digital certificates and electronic signature pads are just some of the modern methods replacing the cursive autograph.

This evolution has its advantages, as handwritten signatures were never a fully reliable form of identity verification. Signature matching systems used for processes like mail-in voting have been shown to disproportionately flag the signatures of young people, the elderly, and racial minorities. A digitized world demands more secure and equitable ways to authenticate identities.

Just as carving one's mark into clay evolved into the elegant cursive autographs of yesteryear, our digital signatures are becoming the new way of indelibly proving our identity.

Notwithstanding all that, a part of me is already missing the smell of ink, the feel of pen on paper, the blots on blotting paper,… and indigo-blue stained fingers.

Paul Smith

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SYNONYMS

- synonyms for ‘personal authentication’:

assent, approval, attestation, authentication, autograph, badge, branding, calling card, characteristic, colophon, confirmation, cross, countersignature, designation, DNA authentication, distinguishing mark, earmark, emblem, endorsement, ensign, escutcheon, e-signature, fingerprint, given designation (name), hallmark, identification, identifying mark, imprimatur, imprint, initials, inscription,  insignia, JOHN HANCOCK (US), John Henry (UK), label, logo, mark, moniker, monogram, motif, motto, name, pen name, pennant, personal touch, ratification, representation, rubric, seal (stamp) of approval, sigil, sigillo, sign, signet, signification, slogan, stamp, symbol, tagline, testament, testimony, the underwritten, thumbprint, trademark, unique identifier, verification

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