What does the term Bob's your uncle mean?

Definition of and Bob's your uncle

British, informal. —used to say that something is easy to do or use Just complete the form, pay the fee, and Bob's your uncle!

Where does the term Bob's your uncle come from?

In 1887, British Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil appointed his nephew Arthur James Balfour as Minister for Ireland. The phrase 'Bob's your uncle' was coined when Arthur referred to the Prime Minister as 'Uncle Bob'. Apparently, it's very simple to become a minister when Bob's your uncle!

Why do the British say Bob your uncle?

"Bob's your uncle" is a way of saying "you're all set" or "you've got it made." It's a catch phrase dating back to 1887, when British Prime Minister Robert Cecil (a.k.a. Lord Salisbury) decided to appoint a certain Arthur Balfour to the prestigious and sensitive post of Chief Secretary for Ireland.

What does Bob your uncle and Fanny's your aunt mean?

A phrase with the same meaning is 'Fanny's your aunt'. When used together it means complete or the whole lot. If Bob's your uncle and Fanny's your aunt you've got a full set of relatives and you are complete.

What is the American equivalent of Bob's your uncle?

Origin of Bob's Your Uncle

This expression is more common in British English than in American English. An American equivalent would be and there you go.

Common but strange British English Expressions: BOB'S YOUR UNCLE

What does happy as Larry meaning?

happy as Larry in British English

or as happy as Larry. British, Australian and New Zealand informal. extremely happy.

What does it mean when British say ta?

Ta means 'thank you'.

Why do we say oh my giddy aunt?

Giddy Aunts are the keepers of family stories and the tellers of wonderful tales, but what does the phrase "Oh My Giddy Aunt" mean? "Oh My Giddy Aunt!” was a popular English saying early last century, often used to indicate surprise in the days before less genteel expletives became more freely used.

What does the saying giddy aunt mean?

Interjection. my giddy aunt. (Britain, Ireland) An exclamation of astonishment, confusion, despair, etc.: my sainted aunt, my sainted uncle.

Where did the saying gone for a Burton come from?

Gone for a Burton is a British English expression meaning to be missing or to die. The term was popularised by the RAF around the time of World War II. It migrated to the USA quickly and in June 1943 a story titled Husky Goes Down for a Burton appeared in Boys' Life, the magazine of the Boy Scouts of America.

Where did cut the mustard originate?

Cut the mustard appears to be an American original. Evidence for the phrase can be found in a Galveston, Texas newspaper in 1891–92.

What does Bob mean in British slang?

plural bob. Definition of bob (Entry 6 of 7) British slang. : shilling.

How do you use Bob's your uncle in a sentence?

You can say Bob's your uncle to show that something is easy and quick to achieve. You just tag along with a teacher for a while, and in a year, Bob's your uncle, you are a teacher too. If the boiler ever gets too hot, the safety valve releases all the excess steam, and Bob's your uncle. No problem.

What does Bob mean in Ireland?

Bob: slang for money. See also quid and sterling. Bonnet: car hood. Boot: car trunk. Bord Fáilte (pronounced bord fal-cha): The Irish Tourist Board (Gaelic, "Board of Welcome")

Who said oh giddy aunt?

[Oh,] my giddy aunt! is used as a playful euphemism to avoid blasphemy and is thought to have derived from (if not quoted from) the farcical comedy Charley's Aunt by Brandon Thomas that ran for 1,466 performances on its first production starting December 1892.

What does tatty bye mean?

Tatty-bye definition

(slang) Goodbye. interjection.

What does cheers mean in England?

Cheers. Americans and British people both say “cheers” when they are out drinking and clink their glasses together. The difference is that people from the UK also use “cheers” to mean “thank you”.

What is a sand boy?

1 : a peddler of sand at a seashore resort —used chiefly in the phrase happy as a sandboy. 2 : any of various hopping insects (as a sand flea) found on sandy beaches.

What does living the life of Riley mean?

Definition of life of Riley

: a carefree comfortable way of living.

What is as happy as a clam?

US, informal. : very happy She spent the afternoon reading and was (as) happy as a clam.

Why was the old shilling called a bob?

Bob – The subject of great debate, as the origins of this nickname are unclear although we do know that usage of bob for shilling dates back to the late 1700s. Brewer's 1870 Dictionary of Phrase and Fable states that 'bob' could be derived from 'Bawbee', which was 16-19th century slang for a half-penny.

What does bobbing your head mean?

to move your head down and then back up again in a short quick movement as a way of greeting someone or showing agreement or respect. Synonyms and related words.

What is a 2 bob?

two bob (uncountable) (UK, Australia, obsolete) Two shillings; a florin. (Australia, slang) A 20-cent coin. (idiomatic, UK, Australia, often attributive) A trivially small value.