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johnnie

British slang for a condom, used casually and without much embarrassment in everyday conversation.

/dʒˈɑni/historicalCurrent164 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🗺️ Regional & Other
2 definitions
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Seen in the wild
4 citations · last seen May 2026

Seen in the wild

Definitions

#1·Apr 28, 2026

British slang for a condom, used casually and without much embarrassment in everyday conversation. 'Johnnie' (also spelled 'johnny') has been part of British sexual vocabulary for decades, sitting somewhere between crude and quaint — not as clinical as 'condom' but far less awkward than some alternatives. It's the kind of word you'd hear in a pub conversation or in a British sitcom, characteristically British in its matter-of-fact approach to an intimate subject.

He'd made it all the way to the checkout before realising he'd forgotten to grab a pack of johnnies.
Origin: British English slang; 'Johnny' as a generic nickname for a man applied euphemistically to a condom. In use since at least the mid-20th century. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora.
For parents

"johnnie" means: British slang for a condom, used casually and without much embarrassment in everyday conversation. 'Johnnie' (also spelled 'johnny') has bee.... The term has a sexual reference, so parents may want to know the context in which a child uses or hears it. In most cases it is part of normal teenage curiosity rather than a concrete worry. A short, non-judgemental conversation about consent, respect and online safety is usually the best response. Look at the wider pattern of behaviour, not the one word.

For ESL learners

"johnnie" means: British slang for a condom, used casually and without much embarrassment in everyday conversation. 'Johnnie' (also spelled 'johnny') has bee.... Register: informal slang, fine in casual conversation, texting and social media but not in academic essays, business writing or formal speech. Note the regional or dialect label (British) — usage may sound odd outside that variety. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard

Cluster: hedging
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#2·Apr 27, 2026

(slang) (a condom).

Heard in the wild
  • “Happy #WafflinWeenieWednesday let's get over the 🐪 with a tune from the Aces Ashes Of Love - Amazing Rhythm Aces (Jack Anglin/Jim Anglin/Johnnie Wright) youtu.be/CEkIzAnGQs4?...”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Johnny Bragg was born this day in 1926. He was serving six life terms in prison when he put together this band, then wrote and recorded this song with which Johnnie Ray later had a big hit.”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “It's an interesting question - do you want to try and cover his whole range or just tempt someone in? I saw Johnnie's post half an hour ago and I'm on my 5th version of the list 😁”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “Hundreds of members of the South African Municipal Workers’ Union (SAMWU) in Buffalo City Metro marched to the city hall on Monday to hand over a memorandum of grievances. Read groundup.org.za/article/hund... by Johnnie Isaac”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
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For specific readers

"johnnie" means: British slang for a condom, used casually and without much embarrassment in everyday conversation. 'Johnnie' (also spelled 'johnny') has bee.... The term has a sexual reference, so parents may want to know the context in which a child uses or hears it. In most cases it is part of normal teenage curiosity rather than a concrete worry. A short, non-judgemental conversation about consent, respect and online safety is usually the best response. Look at the wider pattern of behaviour, not the one word.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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