Gordon Bennett (phrase)
"Gordon Bennett" is an English-language idiomatic phrase used to express surprise, contempt, outrage, disgust, or frustration.[1]
Background[edit]
The expression is thought to derive either from the controversial reputation of James Gordon Bennett Jr. (1841–1918), son of British-born James Gordon Bennett Sr., founder and publisher of the New York Herald, or as a minced oath, "perhaps a euphemistic substitution for gorblimey".[2] Bennett Jr. was an accomplished polo player, tennis player and yachtsman.[3] There was also an Australian general of the same name from World War II, but any link there is ruled out by an earlier 1937 quotation of the interjection.[4]
Usage examples[edit]
The phrase is often said by Del Boy Trotter, played by David Jason, in the British sitcom Only Fools And Horses.[5] It was also used in the 1970s sitcom Please Sir!.[6][7]
"Gordon Bennett" is said frequently by Terry McCann in Minder and Gerry Standing in New Tricks, both played by Dennis Waterman.
It is said by main character DI Humphrey Goodman in season 3 episode 8 ("Rue Morgue") of Death in Paradise.
“Gordon Bennett!” is a catchphrase often used by Holly, the ship’s computer in the 1988 British science fiction comedy television series Red Dwarf.[8]
Richard Hammond said it in Season 5, Episode 3 of The Grand Tour: "Sand Job".
References[edit]
- ^
The dictionary definition of Gordon Bennett at Wiktionary
- ^ Oxford English Dictionary under 'Gordon Bennett'
- ^ "Gordon Bennett the scot behind the popular saying". The Scotsman.
- ^ http://worldwidewords.org/articles/gordon.htm
- ^ "Gordon Bennett: A puzzling British exclamation" World Wide Words
- ^ "Gordon Bennett!". Retrieved 8 September 2017.
- ^ Gordon Bennett! - the meaning and origin of this phrase, retrieved 8 September 2017
- ^ "Red Dwarf" The End (TV Episode 1988) - IMDb, retrieved 2023-12-22
