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

[Jonathan Lighter]

Roberts of Kandahar really was called "Bobs" (not, AFAIK, "Uncle Bobs.")
One of Kipling's worst poems is about him, under that very title. It was
published in 1896.

Of course, in the present connection, so what?

JL

On Thu, Jul 5, 2012 at 8:37 AM, Stephen Goranson <goranson at duke.edu> wrote:

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> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       Stephen Goranson <goranson at DUKE.EDU>
> Subject:      Bob's your Uncle antedated (?) to 1928, 1929...
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> 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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