Johnson's in the Soup
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (340019)
Rockingham, Australia
July 6, 2016 7:19am CST
Do you ever have a drip on the end of your nose? Maybe you have a slight cold or the wind is making your nose run. Your hands may be occupied and you can't get to wipe your nose. Soon a drip forms. Our family used to alert someone that they needed to wipe their nose by saying 'Johnson's at the door'. This saying, according to my Mum, came about in the following way.
A rich, titled lady often found herself with a drip on the end of her nose which she wasn't always aware of immediately. She found this very embarrassing, especially when she had guests. So she told her butler that, if he saw that she needed to wipe her nose, to discreetly say to her 'Madam, Johnson's at the door'. Then she would know that she needed to wipe away the drop.
Next time the lady had guests for dinner, the butler approached and said quietly 'Excuse me Madam, Johnson's at the door'. His employer took no notice so after a few minutes, he repeated the message. She waved him away impatiently, asking him to serve the soup. He did this then returned to her side and said quietly 'Excuse me Madam, Johnson's in the soup'.
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46 responses
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
6 Jul 16
eeeuuuuwww ... gross but funny too.... I can just picture the butler telling her.... lol's ...
2 people like this
@sueznewz2 (10409)
• Alicante, Spain
7 Jul 16
@JudyEv yeahhh i've seen Downton Abbey lol's 
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@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Jul 16
@sueznewz2 I can just see him going home and telling his wife - unless she couldn't be trusted to keep a secret. :)
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@Inlemay (17713)
• South Africa
6 Jul 16
oh thats just terrible - I hope she got the Johnson soup!! I have a tissue in my bra all the time for the drips that MIGHT form while playing bowls out in the cold, but lately I need an ice-pick as they turn to ice first! (not really - just how it feels)
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@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
6 Jul 16
Haha how funny! Reminds me about the man who went to the doctor the receptionist asked him why he wanted to see the dr. He replied I can't pee. She said no next time you are asked tell me it is something wrong with your ear. Next time he went to the dr she said why do you want to see the dr. He replied at the top of his voice I CAN'T pee out of my ear! The waiting room fell about laughing.
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@RichardMeister (5328)
• Otis Orchards, Washington
6 Jul 16
Interesting and a bit funny. Here in the U.S. Johnson can mean something totally different.
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@LindaCPearson (2240)
• United States
6 Jul 16
I think I prefer Johnson at the door than in the soup!!! LOL!!
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@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
9 Jul 16
That is too funny, and it would have been nice to have known that saying years ago when I worked with another gal waitressing. She had many problems with that johnson, but thankfully not while she had food in her hands nor when she was taking orders.
I've noticed that there's a specific type of nostril that seems to have more of a problem with this than others, although as I'm getting older, I seem to think Johnson is visiting more often than he ever did before.
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@MarshaMusselman (38865)
• Midland, Michigan
9 Jul 16
@JudyEv I try to keep a kleenex with me at all times too. I have allergies now and I never know when something in the air will bother my nose, so it helps to be prepared. I hate it when I need one and I realize that I never grabbed one from my desk before leaving. Sometimes I have so many in my pocket I could help everyone else out too and then eventually they are all gone and none are nearby, it's disconcerting.
I know people with all sorts of noses have ailments that can have the nose dripping, but I think there are some more predisposed to having drips hanging when they seem to not realize it's there.
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@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Jul 16
I don't know about nostril shape or type but I do know that many people never have a hankie with them - and rarely seem to need one. I wouldn't go anywhere without a hankie. Although I may not have a cold or runny nose I continually seem to be wiping it. I think I'd have lots of Johnsons otherwise.
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@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
9 Jul 16
@MarshaMusselman I use hankies mostly but sometimes tissues. When I do use tissues they mostly end up going through the wash in my pockets and making a great mess.
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@fishtiger58 (29820)
• Momence, Illinois
8 Jul 16
@JudyEv Not today way to humid and my youngest is coming home for the weekend.
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@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Jul 16
@fishtiger58 Do your children like fishing too?
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@JudyEv (340019)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Jul 16
@Jeanniemaries Everyone who read the post will probably be more aware of 'Johnsons' now!
@Jeanniemaries (8237)
• United States
8 Jul 16
@JudyEv It's one I will remember! I thought about it earlier tonight when I had the sniffles!
1 person likes this
really land in the soup? l hope he told her before she could eat the soup with nose drip inside,or maybe it makes for better taste.
@crazyhorseladycx (39509)
• United States
6 Jul 16
what a delightful tale! one always wonders where such comes from. i'm still gigglin' o'er that last line :)
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