Though he originally appeared to be plump , he was as strong as a bull .
The character was originally called John Bull Jr , after the old nickname for England ; and stood for a certain type of patriotic , but bull - headed , Englishman .
Though John Bull Jr originally appeared to be plump , John Bull Jr was as strong as a bull .
The character was originally called John Bull Jr , after the old nickname for England ; and stood for a certain type of patriotic , but bull - headed , Englishman .