...Well, we are finally getting what we richly deserve—the Adjusted Compensation Act is law. Even though Calvin Coolidge wouldn'
t put his John Hancock on the bill, Congress did right by us! Sometimes I think our illustrious President is just too wrapped up in the interests of business to pay much attention to the little guys. Remember how he wouldn't talk turkey with Gompers when the cops in Boston went out on strike. Course back then we thought he was just worried about public safety. I'm never too sure what to think of him — if he was willin' to jabber and jaw once in a while we might get more of an idea of just what he's all about! What is the allusion in this passage?
An allusion is a figurative speech when a reference is made to something that is unrelated. In other words, an allusion is the use of one object to refer to something that is not related to each other.
In the given passage, the allusion made is in the use of the term <em>"John Hancock"</em>. This is in reference to President John Hancock, who was famous for his big and bold signature when signing the Declaration of Independence. Since then, the term "John Hancock or Hancock" is used to refer to one's act of signing signatures.
