Why Do We Say Bob’s Your Uncle And Fanny’s Your Aunt?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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This expression was first coined in 1887. … A phrase with the same meaning is ‘Fanny's your aunt'. When used together it means complete or the whole lot. If Bob's your uncle and

Fanny's your aunt you've got a full set of and you are complete.

How do you use Bob's your uncle in a sentence?

You can say Bob's your uncle to show that something is easy and quick to achieve.

You just tag along with a teacher for a while

, and in a year, Bob's your uncle, you are a teacher too. If the boiler ever gets too hot, the safety valve releases all the excess steam, and Bob's your uncle. No problem.

Why Is Bob your uncle?

In 1887, British Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil appointed his nephew Arthur James Balfour as Minister for Ireland. The phrase ‘Bob's your uncle' was

coined when Arthur referred to the Prime Minister as

‘Uncle Bob'. Apparently, it's very simple to become a minister when Bob's your uncle!

Who is it your uncle?

Your uncle is your parent's brother, or

the man who marries one of your parent's siblings

. Your favorite uncle might teach you to play chess or take you to amusement parks. Usually, an uncle is a relative — the brother of your mother, for example, or your dad's step-brother.

What does the idiom no dice mean?

If you are trying to achieve something and you say that it's no dice, you mean that

you are having no success or luck with it

. If someone asks you for something and you reply no dice, you are refusing to do what they ask.

Who first said Bob's your uncle?

In 1887, British Prime Minister Robert Gascoyne-Cecil appointed

his nephew Arthur James Balfour

as Minister for Ireland. The phrase ‘Bob's your uncle' was coined when Arthur referred to the Prime Minister as ‘Uncle Bob'.

What does Bob's your aunt mean?

The long version Bob's your Uncle and Fanny's your Aunt meaning “

and there you are” or

“it's that easy!” or “(after that) it's done!” or “(after that,) you have achieved what you wanted to achieve”.

How is your father British slang?

(

A bit of

) How's Your Father; Idiom, saying, turn of phrase. Meaning: Sexy time, sexual intercourse or other sexual activity. Normally used in a phrase in Britain similar to: “Fancy a bit of how's your father?”

Where did the term tie one on come from?

The Phrase Finder, itself, though, doubts that's the connection. It also mentions the Oxford English Dictionary explanation: “Tie a bun on” was an

old British slang term for getting drunk

, and “tie one on” could derive from there. … If you were drunk, you would tie the bun to your head so it wouldn't fall off.

What do you mean by Uncle?

1a :

the brother of one's father or mother

. b : the husband of one's aunt or uncle. 2 : one who helps, advises, or encourages. 3 —used as a cry of surrender was forced to cry uncle.

Who is your aunt?

If you have an aunt, she would be

your dad's sister or your mom's sister

, or the woman who's married to your uncle. Your uncle is a brother to your mom or dad.

Why do they say Mum's the word?

“Mum's the word” means

to keep silent or quiet

. Mum is a Middle English word meaning ‘silent', and may be derived from the mummer who acts without speaking. Note the similar English word “mime” (Old English “mīma”, Latin “mimus”) meaning silent actor or imitator.

Why is it close but no cigar?

Who even asked for a cigar? The expression, “Close, but no cigar” means

that a person fell slightly short of a successful outcome and therefore gets no reward

. … The phrase most likely originated in the 1920s when fairs, or carnivals, would hand out cigars as prizes.

Where does close but no cigar?

The phrase is originated in the United States, likely during the 20th century or earlier. It alludes to the practice of

stalls at fairgrounds and carnivals giving out cigars as prizes

. This phrase would be used for those who were close to winning a prize, but failed to do so.

Where does the phrase all sixes and sevens come from?

It dates

from the mid-1380s

and seems from its context to mean “to hazard the world” or “to risk one's life”. William Shakespeare uses a similar phrase in Richard II, “But time will not permit: all is uneven, And every thing is left at six and seven”. The phrase is also used in Gilbert & Sullivan's comic opera H.M.S.

Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.