and why do we quote him when we come across something unbelievable?
2006-11-24 09:04:02 · 10 answers · asked by england til i die 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
Apparently it was because he was such an outrageous person
read this for full explanation
http://www.peevish.co.uk/slang/articles/gordon-bennett.htm
2006-11-24 09:07:40 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The expression Gordon Bennett is not so much "slang" as a "minced oath". As we explained in a Spotlight, "minced oaths" are used to avoid saying a blasphemous or otherwise offensive phrase. In this way Jeepers Creepers substitutes for Jesus Christ.
As you are no doubt aware, Cockneys are non-rhotic. That is, they don't pronounce an r when it's before a consonant. Thus they pronounce Gordon as gawdon, the first syllable of which sounds, to a Cockney, just like God. Gordon Bennett, then, is a way of saying "God!" without causing (too much) offense.
Who was he? Gordon W. Bennett was a U.S. newspaper magnate with a flair for publicity. He sponsored various international sporting events including a race to circumnavigate the globe which inspired the movie "The Great Race
2006-11-24 17:10:35 · answer #2 · answered by clarelouiseprince 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He was the newspaper editor from the New York Times that sent Morton Stanley to Africa, to find David Livingstone.
2006-11-24 17:07:18 · answer #3 · answered by Gordon C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Oh Gordon Bennet, i dont know.
2006-11-24 17:06:07 · answer #4 · answered by bobby t 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He was a general in the Australian army during world war 2
2006-11-24 17:12:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He was a football player..... we quote him because he was an unbelievable goal keeper!
Hope this helps
Mc Daddy
2006-11-24 17:07:30 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
HE WENT TO OXFORD FOR 12 YEAR'S AND NEVER PASSED HIS EXAM'S AND GOT MOST THING'S WRONG
2006-11-24 17:06:47 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i thought he was a cricketer
2006-11-24 17:14:33 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think he was a friend of jesus christ
2006-11-24 17:10:21 · answer #9 · answered by TINYTI 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dunno but I bet he's sick of people shouting his name.
2006-11-24 17:09:56 · answer #10 · answered by Goofy Goofer Goof Goof Goof ! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋