Where does the expression bobs 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!

What does the British 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!

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.

What does Bob's your uncle mean in Australia?

"Bob's your uncle" is a phrase commonly used in the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries that means "and there it is" or "and there you have it" or "It's done".

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

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 Fanny about mean?

(chiefly Britain, intransitive, idiomatic) To waste time or fool around; to engage in activity which produces little or no accomplishment. quotations ▼ (chiefly Britain, transitive and intransitive, idiomatic) To wander about or prowl around.

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 does the phrase can't cut the mustard come from?

WHEN MUSTARD was one of the main crops in East Anglia, it was cut by hand with scythes, in the same way as corn. The crop could grow up to six feet high and this was very arduous work, requiring extremely sharp tools. When blunt they "would not cut the mustard".

What does happy as Larry mean?

happy as Larry in British English

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

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 is Minge in British slang?

/ (mɪndʒ) / noun British taboo, slang. the female genitals.

What is the definition of Finny?

Definition of finny

1 : provided with or characterized by fins. 2 : relating to or being fish.

What is a wanny?

Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)

†WANNY, adj. Pale, sickly-looking.

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.

Why do you say uncle to surrender?

"Uncle" may derive from the Irish anacol, meaning mercy or quarter, but there is no strong evidence to support this conjecture. Another suggested origin is from the English phrase “time out”, a plea to cease hostilities. The abbreviated usage "T.O." was mistaken for the Spanish “tío”, which means "uncle".

What does How's your father mean?

how's your father (uncountable) (slang, Britain) A whatsit; a thing which the speaker is unable or unwilling to specify more precisely. synonym ▲ Synonyms: see Thesaurus:thingy. (slang, Britain, euphemistic) Sexual intercourse. quotations ▼synonym ▲ Synonyms: see Thesaurus:sexual intercourse.

What is a dollop head?

a word that means 'total idiot' used in the TV series Merlin. Arthur is a dollophead, according to Merlin.

What is a Pillock in British?

/ (ˈpɪlək) / noun. British slang a stupid or annoying person.

What does biting Minge mean?

: midge especially : biting midge.

Where does the phrase Let's get down to brass tacks mean?

informal. : to start to discuss or consider the most important details or facts about something We finally got down to brass tacks and decided to work out a schedule for the project.

Where did the phrase at sixes and sevens come from?

It dates from the mid-1380s and seems from its context to mean "to hazard the world" or "to risk one's life". William Shakespeare uses a similar phrase in Richard II, "But time will not permit: all is uneven, And every thing is left at six and seven". The phrase is also used in Gilbert & Sullivan's comic opera H.M.S.

What does being at sixes and sevens mean?

phrase [usually verb-link PHRASE] If you say that someone or something is at sixes and sevens, you mean that they are confused or disorganized.

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.