Page "Placeholder name" Paragraph 21

* Tom, Dick and Harry, for a series of three specific unnamed ( usually male ) people ; or for any number of unknown people, usually with the term " every ", for example: " Every Tom, Dick and Harry showed up to the party ".

Harriet may sometimes be substituted for Harry for a more gender-balanced version of the phrase, or Sally may be added, as in the TV series 3rd Rock from the Sun.

Originated in the Early Modern period of literature as Rafe, Robin, and Dick, who were often used as characters in plays.