Where does the saying 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!

Where does the saying Bob's your uncle fanny your aunt come from?

The origins are uncertain, but a common theory is that the expression arose after Conservative Prime Minister Robert Cecil known as Bob appointed his nephew Arthur Balfour as Chief Secretary for Ireland in 1887, an act of favoritism which was apparently both surprising and unpopular.

Why do Brits say Bob's 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 the saying and bobs 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 Fanny's your aunt mean?

The long version Bob's your uncle and Fanny's your aunt meaning "and there you are" or "it's that easy!" or "(after that) it's done!" or "(after that,) you have achieved what you wanted to achieve". One variant is Bob's your uncle and Fanny's your granny. Other variants, of both versions, spell your as yer.

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

Where does taking the mickey come from?

"Take the mickey" may be an abbreviated form of the Cockney rhyming slang "take the Mickey Bliss", a euphemism for "take the piss." It has also been suggested that "mickey" is a contraction of "micturition," in which case "take the micturition" would be a synonymous euphemism for "take the piss." The phrase has been ...

What does a bit how's your father mean?

how's-your-father in British English

(ˈhaʊzjəˈfɑːðə ) British euphemistic. sexual intercourse. She said that two weeks is a long time to go without a bit of how's-your-father.

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".

Where did happy as Larry come from?

Larry Foley was an australian boxer who never lost a fight. His last fight was in the 1870's, he was paid the vast sum of £1000 and won the fight - "hence as happy as Larry".

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 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")

What is 10 bob in cockney rhyming slang?

Ten Bob is Cockney slang for 50 pence.

What does Bob mean in British slang?

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

Where does the saying life of Riley come from?

A life of luxury: “Sheila found herself living the life of Riley after she won the lottery.” The expression comes from a popular song of the 1880s, “Is That Mr. Reilly?”, in which the title character describes what he would do if he suddenly became wealthy.

What does happy as a sand boy mean?

Sandboy: As happy as a sandboy is an expression which implies blissful contentment. I believe that the saying is truly Bristolian in origin. On Bathurst basin, in the City centre is the long established Ostrich Inn. The Inn is immediately adjacent to the Redcliff caves which, in their day, were a prime source of sand.

What does it mean happy as a clam?

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

What does the idiom get down to brass tacks mean?

Definition of get down to brass tacks

: 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 Does Stone the crows come from?

"Stone the crows" comes from an actual event which happened in the late 1800s, just south of Roebourne in Western Australia. A teenager who was part of the original white settlement there was becoming exasperated with the flies and the heat and in a moment of temper he picked up a stone to throw at a crow.

What does Apple pie order meaning?

Definition of in apple-pie order

informal. : arranged neatly or perfectly : in perfect order Everything in the cupboard was (arranged) in apple-pie order.

What is a tommy tank?

Tommy Tank is Cockney slang for Bank.

What does flat out mean in Australia?

Flat out like a lizard drinking

Translation: Very busy. Meaning: To be hard at work, just like a lizard who physically lies out flat in order to drink water which is done quickly and is a main source of activity during the day. Pixabay | Pixabay.

What does How's your Mom mean?

If you speak to someone whose mother has been ill and say "How is your mother?" they will think that you are someone who is showing care and concern. If you speak to an old (long-standing) friend whose mother you know well and say "How is your mother?" they would find that a perfectly normal thing to say. S.

What does extracting the Michael mean?

Extract-the-michael definition

(UK, slang, humorous) To take the mickey.

Is the word pee offensive?

Pee is an informal but common word that means "to urinate." Of all the slang words for bodily functions, this is one of the least offensive. Though it's not very naughty to talk about peeing or taking a pee, this term is a little childish.