Bob's your Uncle antedated (?) to 1928, 1929...

[Stephen Goranson]

The ads-l archive has attestations from 1932.*

At Wikipedia, someone claimed that the phrase originated from Lord Roberts of Kandahar (1832-1914) supposedly being called "Uncle Bobs," but I find no evidence, merely recent claims, for that.

At  http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk  are the following potential antedatings (plus another 1932),
though I have seen only the snippets:


Essex Newsman
Sat 03 Mar 1928 p. 1 article [at least, Mar 3 was a Saturday]
Essex, England
BOB'S YOUR UNCLE
29 Words
    “ BOB'S YOUR UNCLE Mr. A. H. Soujer (Bob's your Uncle) wishes to THANK all good friends for their congratulations his successfully ... ?


North Devon Journal
Thu 18 Apr 1929 p. 5 adv.
Devon, England
DFRFMT THFATUF m*M. APRIL 29. For Three Xi 9 Ms only 1 s bbisuss T||F IDEALS **«■«. BOB'S YOUR UNCLE
55 Words

    “ «■«. BOB'S YOUR UNCLE and Manager! Douglas Milton. Presents The Bohemian Vaudeville Co. in mM W AVALOM BAND. ,! ht, » 8. Prices: 1/10, 1/6, 1/- and 6d. F«n cast ... ?


North Devon Journal
Thu 25 Apr 1929 p, 5 adv.
Devon, England
NEXT MONDAY, TUESDAY & WESHESOAY, April 29. 30 & SEXT THURSDAY, FRIOSY & SftYUBDAY, Way 2, 3& 4, Matines Saturday
45 Words

    “ APLE. Bob's Your Uncle Bright Eyed-Dears Cinderella. a l COMEDy a revu£ ideas. Children's Frices for Watinee. Adults usu,l pricey ... ?


North Devon Journal
Thu 02 May 1929 p. 4 article
Devon, England
REGENT THEATRE, BARNSTAPLE
211 Words

    “ edy, Bob's Your Uncle, presented by C. A. Stephenson, is providing an excellent programme the Regent this week. C. A. Stephenson as Bob Spiphins is big success ... ?


Hull Daily Mail
Sat 12 Nov 1932 p. 7 article
East Riding of Yorkshire, England
PLUMBERS AT PLAY
178 Words

    “ Co., Bob's your Uncle, Not Sharks, and Ham and Cheese. A. Monday, tb© social secretary, was assisted a hard-working committee

Stephen Goranson
www.duke.edu/~goranson

*http://listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind0910E&L=ADS-L&P=R1116&I=-3&d=No+Match%3BMatch%3BMatches

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