Donate SIGN UP

Where does the prase 'Bob's your uncle' meaning very quickly come from

01:00 Thu 07th Jun 2001 |

asks Globalcanuck

A. This phrase is said to have come about following the controversial and unexpected appointment of Arthur Balfour in 1887 to�secretary of State for Ireland.�He was given this vital frontline job by his uncle the Victorial prime minister Lord Robert (Bob) Salisbury, who is said to have favoured patronage and to have practiced nepotism. The phrase originally implied if Bob's your uncle you can get things done.

Q. What about the phrase 'Bob and weave'

A. You say this to describe someone who is making quick darting body movements from side to side and up and down. According to the Oxford Dictionary of Idioms, it is thought to have derived from the evasive tactics used by boxers.

Q. How about Uncle 'Tom Cobleigh and all' Who's Tom Cobleigh

A. There's an old English song called Widdicombe Fair and Uncle Tom Cobleigh was the last in a long list of men named in the song.

The chorus of the song goes like this:

And when shall I see again my grey mare
All along, down along, out along lee
By Friday soon, or Saturday noon
With Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney
Peter Day, Daniel Whiddon, Harry Hawk
Old Uncle Tom Cobleigh and all
Old Uncle Tom Cobleigh and all.

Q. While we seem to be�following that line of thought what about�the phrase ' Am I my brother's keeper'

A. This phrase actually originates from the bible. In the�Old Testament Genesis iv. 9 it says: 'And the Lord said unto Cain, where is Abel thy brother And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper '

To ask more Phrases and Sayings questions click here

Do you have a question about Phrases & Sayings?