Where does the saying Bob's your uncle originate 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 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 your uncle and Fanny's your aunt mean?

Synonyms and variations

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".

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.

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

Why is Fanny's your aunt?

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 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'.

What is the origin of Happy as Larry?

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".

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 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.

Where did the saying Mums the word come from?

Mum's the word is a popular English idiom. It is related to an expression used by William Shakespeare, in Henry VI, Part 2. The word "mum" is an alteration of momme, which was used between 1350 and 1400 in Middle English with very close to the same meaning, "be silent; do not reveal".

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 living the life of Riley mean?

Definition of life of Riley

: a carefree comfortable way of living.

Where did the expression happy as a clam originate?

Origin of Happy as a Clam

The idea behind this expression is that clams are happiest when the ocean is at high tide. When the water it as high tide, the clams are protected from predation by birds. This idiom originated in the United States around the year 1830.

What does tatty bye mean?

Tatty-bye definition

(slang) Goodbye. interjection.

What does Crook mean in Australia?

Australia and New Zealand. : not right: a : unsatisfactory. b : dishonest, crooked. c : irritable, angry —used especially in the phrase go crook.

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.

Where did the saying sent to Coventry originate?

Meaning “to deliberately ostracise someone”, this phrase originates from a 17th century English Civil War punishment, when Coventry was a Parliamentary stronghold. The king's soldiers were so hated that Royalist prisoners were sent to Coventry, where it was felt they would be ignored.

What is as happy as a clam?

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

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.

Who first said Bob's your uncle?

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 is the meaning of the phrase a damp squib?

Definition of damp squib

British. : something that is disappointing because it is not as exciting or effective as expected The company's stock turned out to be something of a damp squib.