Etymology, how the fun got started!

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Saumun
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Re: Etymology, how the fun got started!

Post by Saumun »

Tough one to pin down definitively.

The most common one that crops up relates to British Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil, 3rd Marquess of Salisbury. He gave his nephew Arthur Balfour a number of senior political positions, despite him having little experience or interest (Balfour eventually became PM after Salisbury).
Hence... Things worked out because 'Bob's your Uncle'.

Seems plausible, but this was late nineteenth/turn of the twentieth century and the first recorded print of the phrase came around thirty years later.... so who knows for sure?
“Grynix Ernum Quey Ki Skebow Rednim U Os Dey Wefna Enocarn Aquantana” - Anon
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Jan
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Re: Etymology, how the fun got started!

Post by Jan »

LOL, now that's funny! :lol: Thanks! I'll have to use this is my lectures as "nepotism in practice" :D .
Finally playing and immensely enjoying the awesome Thimbleweed Park-a-reno!
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Saumun
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Re: Etymology, how the fun got started!

Post by Saumun »

Indeed... And the fact that nepotism derives from the word 'Nepos' (Nephew), it all ties in rather neatly.
“Grynix Ernum Quey Ki Skebow Rednim U Os Dey Wefna Enocarn Aquantana” - Anon
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cowsmanaut
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Re: Etymology, how the fun got started!

Post by cowsmanaut »

ok.. but who was fanny? "Bob's your uncle, and fanny's your aunt.. " :D

Though.. the Joneses are the ones everyone is talking about...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keeping_u ... he_Joneses
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Saumun
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Re: Etymology, how the fun got started!

Post by Saumun »

No idea about the "Fanny's your aunt" part. I suspect it's a later addition, since the early references to "BYU" don't mention it.
There isn't even a definite handle on "Bob's your uncle". The Balfour/Salisbury explanation seems reasonably plausible, but is unconfirmed.
“Grynix Ernum Quey Ki Skebow Rednim U Os Dey Wefna Enocarn Aquantana” - Anon
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