What is the story behind John Hancock's signature?

Answer 1

The words "John Hancock" are often used to describe the word "signature." When J. Hancock singed the Declaration of Independence, his was the largest sig. of them all. Hancock is best-remembered for his giant signature on the document, so that is why a signature is often called a "John Hancock."

Answer 2

Hancock was president of Congress when the Declaration of Independence was adopted and signed. He is primarily remembered by Americans for his large, flamboyant signature on the Declaration, so much so that "John Hancock" became, in the United States, an informal synonym for signature.

John Hancock was the president of the the Continental Congress. In 1776 the Declaration of Independence was signed and John Hancock's is the first, largest, and most recognized signature on the document. Since the Declaration of Independence is such an important document his signature became the well known signature thus coining the phrase.

Answer 3

If you are refering to why it is so large, he did it as a joke so that Benjamin Franklin could read it without his glasses. However, it was also because he was the first to sign it out of the delegates.