here's Johnny

Axe-through-door exclamation

Here's Johnny is a catchphrase associated with horror and dramatic entrances, originating from Jack Nicholson's ad-libbed line in *The Shining* (1980) as he axes through a door.

The phrase itself echoes Ed McMahon's nightly introduction of Johnny Carson on *The Tonight Show*.

Now used when someone makes a sudden, theatrical appearance—often through a door or barrier: He burst into the room shouting "Here's Johnny!"

shiningGiving off light
axeBladed tool for chopping
fire axeEmergency breaching tool
doorHinged room barrier
horrorExtreme fear or disgust

Jack Torrance · Nicholson · horror movie · Kubrick · Stephen King · Overlook Hotel · twins · redrum · overlook · hotel · typewriter · maze · frozen · Jack · Torrance · maniac · chase · bathroom

Opposites

tone/emotional register

here's Johnnyunwelcome

Not wanted here

cold shoulder · stay away · get out · leave me alone

presence/arrival

here's Johnnyexit stage left

Theatrical departure instruction

Elvis has left the building · farewell · departure · absence · disappeared

cultural function

here's Johnnythat's all folks

Classic closing announcement

the end · stay tuned

Family

here, John, Johnny, hereabouts, hereafter, hereby, herein, hereof, hereto

Familiarity: Top 200,000
Profile: Mostly American · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG