All About Names:  An Average Joe Was Walking Down the Street

a cup of Joe, I mean, a cup of coffee.

an average Joe was walking down the street.  An average Joe is a common person -- either male or female.   This average Joe was lost.  He did not know Jack about where he was going.  By this, I mean he did not know anything about where to find things in the city.

John Q. Public for directions to the nearest bank.  John Q. Public is also a common person -- male or female.

"Jeez Louise," said John Q. Public.  This is an expression of surprise.  "Jeez Louise, don't you know that all banks are closed today?  It is Saturday."

"For Pete's sake," said average Joe.  This is also an expression used to show a feeling like surprise or disappointment.

a doubting Thomas, someone who does not believe anything he is told.

Joe Blow was walking down the street with a woman.  Joe Blow is also an expression for a common man. Now this Joe Blow was NOT walking next to a plain Jane.  A plain Jane is a woman who is neither ugly nor pretty.  She is simply plain.  No, the woman with Joe Blow was a real Sheila -- a beautiful woman. 

"No way, Jose," she answered.  This is a way of saying "no."  "No way, Jose.  Many banks are open on Saturdays."

did not know either of these two people from Adam.  That is, he did not know them at all.  But he followed their directions to the nearest bank.

Jack of all trades.  He knew how to do everything.

Uncle Sam," said average Joe.  Uncle Sam represents the United States government.  The banker produced some papers and told average Joe to sign his John Hancock at the bottom.   A John Hancock is a person's signed name -- a signature.  Historically, John Hancock was one of the signers of the United States Declaration of Independence.  Hancock had a beautiful signature and signed his name larger than all the others.

Johnny One Note.   He could only sing one note.