John Doe???

[Balibee]

Why do the Americans use the names John and Jane Doe for unnamed bodies? I can understand the forenames, but why Doe???

[andy hughes]

It's just a basic one-sylable name - absolutely nothing memmorable about it at all - hence its use to identify someone with nothing to distinguish them at all, apart from an unfortunate death.

[Moog]

I thin it's more complicated than that isn't it? Something to do with English law?

[Quizmonster]

If you click here, that will link you to a web-page which explains.

[Moog]

Ok I thought so, John Doe was used in English law as a fictional/unnamed character used in disputes over title to real property as early as the 15th Century and has since come to mean an anonymous or average man. I can't find a reason why the name John Doe was used in these cases... reckon QM might?

[Moog]

Posted same time QM!

[Quizmonster]

A little synchrography never hurt anyone, Moog! Cheers

[darth vader]

quizmonster - you're back! (did you ever go away?)

[Quizmonster]

Not really, Darth. I was 'absent' for a few days over the weekend a fortnight ago and spent yesterday at the Portsmouth Beerfest...but apart from those occasions, I've looked in pretty well every other day. Good to see you back.