Bob's your uncle

I was watching the sitcom "Red Dwarf". I love it BTW. And for only the second time in my life heard the phrase "As quick as you can say Bob's your Uncle". It was spoken by Rimmer. The other time was in "Mary Poppins". Spoken by Bert. What does that phrase mean? I am from the US. Thanks.

 

My mum's brother is called Robert

Anyway, a three second search on Google reveals this

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-bob1.htm

 

Ironic that the answer should come from you. My thanks.

 

I did some research and found this:

BOB'S YOUR UNCLE! - informal. Similar to "there you are! that's it! voila!.An expression used at the end of instructions such as road directions, recipes and the like.One explanation of this curious phrase is its alleged use in Robert Peel's campaign for a seat in Parliament. He was a 'law and order' man nicknamed Bob and 'uncle' was a term implying benefaction and protection: Vote for Bob - Bob's your Uncle! Maybe. 'Uncle' is British (as well as American) slang for 'pawnbroker,' and a pawnbroker is, presumably, a friend in need. Another educated guess at its derivation relates to the appointment in 1887 of Arthur Balfour as Chief Secretary for Ireland by the then Prime Minister Robert Cecil, Lord Salisbury, who happened to be Balfour's uncle. This obvious act of nepotism was decried by many. The saying then went (if this derivation can be believed): You ask for the job - he remembers your name - and 'Bob's your uncle!'." From "British English: A to Zed" by Norman W. Schur (Harper Perennial, New York, 1987).

Maybe Schur didn't get over to London very often. The Balfour/Salisbury origin is a bit more than an educated guess. It's widely accepted in etymological circles and is given in most reference works, not least the Oxford Press:

"(and) BOB's your uncle" The Oxford Dictionary of Idioms. Ed. Jennifer Speake. Oxford University Press, 2000.

And funny that you should mention it, but yes. Bob is my uncle!

 

Thanks to you to Jedi_Nat. Much obliged, as they say. Wow, two answers from folks with Uncle Bob's. How about that?

 

Never worked for me, Bob was my dad.
Worked great for my cousins though!

 

Yay! Red Dwarf! You only just noticed that? I saw it the first time I watched the episode (even though I can't remember which episode it is ). Anyone know when the next series is out on DVD?

 

In the UK Seasons 7 & 8 are not that far off. I got a note from the RD website. As for the US, where I am from. It could take awhile.

 

Novemebr I think for the UK

I love The Crimson Short One.

 

Never got to see Series 7 and 8 yet. Can't wait for them.

 

Yay, I love Red Dwarf. I've got series 1-6 and have been patiently waiting for the next 2. Bob was my dad too (well, Robert was) but he was my cousins' uncle.