"Gordon Bennett" is an English-language idiomatic phrase used to express surprise, contempt, outrage, disgust, frustration or exasperation. [1]
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]
The phrase is often said by cockney Del Boy, played by David Jason, in the British sitcom Only Fools and Horses . [5] It was often heard in other cockney sitcoms too, such as Steptoe and Son and Till Death Us Do Part .
It was also used in the 1970s sitcom Please Sir! . [6] [7]
In the BBC Radio 4 panel game I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue , Gordon Bennett is a running joke in the "Late Arrivals" round, where humorously named guests are announced as they arrive at a profession's ball. For example, at the Fisherman's Ball, a panellist announced "Mr and Mrs Bennettlookatthesizeofthatcrab, and their son, Gordon".
In 1989 Gilbert O'Sullivan released his album 'In The Key Of G!' containing the song 'Gordon Bennett'.
The dictionary definition of Gordon Bennett at Wiktionary