Gordon Bennett (phrase)
"Gordon Bennett" is an English-language idiomatic phrase used to express surprise, contempt, outrage, disgust, frustration or exasperation.[1]
Background
[edit]The expression is thought to derive either from the controversial reputation of James Gordon Bennett Jr. (1841–1918), son of British-born James Gordon Bennett Sr., founder and publisher of the New York Herald, or as a minced oath, "perhaps a euphemistic substitution for gorblimey".[2] Bennett Jr. was an accomplished polo player, tennis player and yachtsman.[3] There was also an Australian general of the same name from World War II, but any link there is ruled out by an earlier 1937 quotation of the interjection.[4]
In popular culture
[edit]The phrase is often said by cockney Del Boy, played by David Jason, in the British sitcom Only Fools and Horses.[5] It was often heard in other cockney sitcoms too, such as Steptoe and Son and Till Death Us Do Part.
It was also used in the 1970s sitcom Please Sir!.[6][7]
In the BBC Radio 4 panel game I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, Gordon Bennett is a running joke in the "Late Arrivals" round, where humorously named guests are announced as they arrive at a profession's ball. For example, at the Fisherman's Ball, a panellist announced "Mr and Mrs Bennettlookatthesizeofthatcrab, and their son, Gordon".
References
[edit]- ^
The dictionary definition of Gordon Bennett at Wiktionary
- ^ Oxford English Dictionary under 'Gordon Bennett'
- ^ "Gordon Bennett the scot behind the popular saying". The Scotsman.
- ^ "Gordon Bennett". Worldwideowrds.org.
- ^ "Gordon Bennett: A puzzling British exclamation" World Wide Words
- ^ "Gordon Bennett!". Peevish.co.uk. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
- ^ "Gordon Bennett! – the meaning and origin of this phrase". Phrases.org.uk. Retrieved 8 September 2017.
