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A "Dear John letter" is a letter written, originally to a soldier overseas, by his wife or girlfriend to inform him their relationship is over, usually because the author has found another lover. == Origin and etymology == While the exact origins of the phrase are unknown, it is commonly believed to have been coined by Americans during World War II. Large numbers of American troops were stationed overseas for many months or years, and as time passed many of their wives or girlfriends decided to begin a relationship with a new man rather than to wait for the original one to return. As letters to servicemen from wives or girlfriends back home would typically contain affectionate language (such as "Dear Johnny", "My dearest John", or simply "Darling"), a serviceman receiving a note beginning with a curt "Dear John" would instantly be aware of the letter's purpose. A writer in the ''Democrat and Chronicle'' of Rochester, New York, summed it up in August 1945: An early reference to Dear John letters was made in a United Press article of March 21, 1944.〔(Hollywood Girls Gain Weight on Tour of Africa ) St. Petersburg Times, March 21, 1944.〕 It has been claimed that the Vietnam War inspired more Dear John letters than any other US conflict. Later, this type of letter formed background to the UK TV show ''Dear John'', and a US sitcom of the same name. A ''Dear Jane'' letter is a contemporary version of a ''Dear John'' letter addressed to a female lover. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Dear John letter」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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