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

[Victor Steinbok]

All the 1929 references are obviously to a local production of
children's play "Bob's Your Uncle", possibly by A. H. Soujer. The 1928
and 1932 pieces appear to refer to the same play, but different location
(1932 also to different production).

This also may explain the previously cited 1932 comment:
> A strident liveliness spoils "The Travels of Tramp-Royal"
> (Blackwood...) for readers not temperamentally akin to a writer who
> exclaims "Bob's your uncle!" and "Aha says I."

It's also possible that this was just an eponymously titled story,
converted into a play in 1929 (a fairly common practice with children's
stories).

VS-)

On 7/5/2012 8:37 AM, Stephen Goranson wrote:
> 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

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