Green’s Dictionary of Slang

1. a country parson.

c.1350		Tale of the Basyn (1836) ix: A preest men callis sir John.
c.1386		Chaucer Nun’s Priest’s Prologue line 4000: Com neer, thou preest, com hider, thou sir Iohn.
c.1550		R. Wever Lusty Juventus Ciiii: Let me see your portus, gentle syr John.
1560		Becon Works (Parker Soc.) 270: Hold up, Sir John, heave it [the Host] a little higher [F&H].
1577		Misogonus in Farmer (1906) II iv: Done, Sir John! twenty pound! I have won the priest’s gown.
1592		Greene Quip for an Upstart Courtier G2: The formost was a plaine country Sir John, or vickar.
1600		N. Breton Pasquil’s Madcappe in Grosart (1879) I 6/2: Sir John Lack-latine [...] After seruice falles to ale-house games, [...] He is not fit to gouerne in the Church.
1607		in Estienne et al World of Wonders 44: But before we come to Prelates, let vs heare how he layeth out the knauery of poore Priests and simple Sir Iohns. They heare (saith he) womens confessions, and knowing who they be that vse the occupation, they runne after them.
1648		R. Herrick ‘The Tythe’ Hesperides 243: If nine times you your Bride-groome kisse; / The tenth you know the Parsons his [...] If children you have ten, Sir John / Won’t for his tenth part ask you one.
1672		J. Phillips Maronides (1678) V 95: He was Ascanius Padagouge / [...] / esteem’d as learn’d a St John / As ere was bred up at the Sorbon.
c.1698		B.E. Dict. Canting Crew n.p.: Sir John the Country-Vicar or Parson.
1725		New Canting Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1737, 1759, 1760, 1776		Bailey Universal Etym. Eng. Dict. [as cit. c.1698].
1785, 1788, 1796		Grose Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1811		Lex. Balatronicum.
1823		Egan Grose’s Classical Dict. of the Vulgar Tongue.
1871		C. Hindley Old Book Collector’s Misc. 72: sir john was anciently the common designation of one in holy orders.

2. a close-stool, an enclosed chamberpot.

1937–84

Partridge DSUE (1984) 1073/1: C.19.

3. the penis.

1984

Partridge DSUE (8th edn) /: C.19–20.