Gordon Bennett (phrase)

"Gordon Bennett" is an English-language idiomatic phrase used to express surprise, contempt, outrage, disgust, frustration or exasperation.[1]

Background

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]

References

  1. ↑ Wiktionary logo The dictionary definition of Gordon Bennett at Wiktionary May also refer to Gordon Bennett who was a PE teacher for P Kindred in the 1970s
  2. ↑ Oxford English Dictionary under 'Gordon Bennett'
  3. ↑ "Gordon Bennett the scot behind the popular saying". The Scotsman.
  4. ↑ "Gordon Bennett". Worldwideowrds.org.
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