I’ve heard people say this, especially when making fun of someone with a British accent. What does it mean? I assumed it meant “Hello governer”, but I’m not sure what it refers to.
Yup, “Guv’nor” is governor; it generally means “the boss,” or in a broader sense, someone up the ladder from you (socially or otherwise).
It’s based on a Cockney accent, often down with exageration for effect.
Thanks for the replies. Is it a common expression in England?
The OED cites it first from 1827, and in most instances, it meant one’s father.
Dickens started using it in 1844 to mean “sir; fellow. used in direct address”
This last from LIghter.