I notice that there are quite a few Brits around on this site, so…in keeping with the original intention of the Straight Dope, what’s the origin of the phrase “Bob’s your uncle”? As an American now living in the UK, it’s one of the few phrases that I have no clue about. My only (uneducated) guess is that it has something to do with the guy that the police ‘Bobbies’ are named after.
My life is empty without this knowledge…
I’m not a Brit, but look at this link.
Well done.
Cheers, mate.
Well done.
Cheers, mate.
For the record, I am an uncle.
I remember hearing this expression on an episode of Fawlty Towers, and also wondered what it meant.
Aren’t we all?
FYI,
I use this expression all the time, but I usually add on to the end of it “and Fanny’s your aunt”
Why? I’m not really sure… my brother used to say it when I was younger… it could be something he and his school mates made up, I don’t know…
Well after the recent accident, Bob’s now my aunt… 