What are the Origins of the phrase "Gordon Bennett" and what does it mean?

Answer 1

Gordon Bennett

Meaning

An exclamation of surprise.

Origin

gordon bennettIt is commonly thought that this refers to James Gordon Bennett. JGB was a real person. In fact, with the expansiveness that is appropriate for this story, two real people. The elder James Gordon Bennett was born in Banffshire, Scotland in 1795 and emigrated to the USA, eventually becoming a journalist and founding the New York Herald in 1835. Bennett had a natural talent for journalism and the paper flourished. An editorial in Harper's at the time expressed the opinion that "It is impossible any longer to deny that the [city's] chief newspaper is the New York Herald". Other rivals, while accepting Bennett's nose for a story, weren't impressed with what they saw as his 'gutter press' methods. In 1836, in a pre-cursor to the chequebook/kiss-and-tell journalism now so popular with tabloid newspapers, he published a notice offering to reward any woman who "will set a trap for a Presbyterian parson, and catch one of them flagrante delicito [sic]". He was unblushing in what was then seen as improper descriptions of his relationship with his wife - describing her 'most magnificent' figure and publishing details of their wedding and the birth of James Gordon Bennett junior in 1841.

James Gordon Bennett Jr. inherited his father's talents for journalism and controversy, not to mention his multi-million dollar estate - and he's the one the phrase refers to. He took over control of the New York Herald in 1866, by which time he was well into an enthusiastic and hedonist playboy lifestyle, indulging in spending the family fortune on air and road racing in the USA, England and France.

He was a significant promoter and patron of sports, especially those requiring impressive and expensive equipment, for example international motor racing, ballooning and air racing. He gave several sponsorships in these fields, notably the Isle of Man Bennett Trophy races of 1900 to 1905 (subsequently a trials course on the island was named after him). A long-distance hot-air balloon race (The International Gordon Bennett balloon race), which still continues, was inaugurated by him in 1906.

Bennett was also a chip off the old block, not unlike many wealthy people of his era, in that he wasn't especially concerned by people's opinion of his behaviour. He has the unenviable record, as bestowed by the Guinness Book of World Records, of the 'Greatest Engagement Faux Pas', for the manner in which his engagement to the socialite Caroline May was broken off in 1877. The engagement was big news in New York society circles. The Edwardsville Intelligencer, reported it in November 1876:

"The trousseau of Miss May, who is to marry James Gordon Bennett, has arrived from Europe, where it was collected at an expense of $20,000, according to gossips. It is said to be the most elaborate and beautiful ever prepared for an American lady."

It is reported that at the 1877 New Year's party held by his fiancee's father, he became so drunk that he mistook the fireplace for a toilet and urinated in it in front of his hosts and their guests. Whether or not that story is true is now difficult to verify. It is certainly the case that the marriage didn't go ahead and that the Mays weren't best pleased with Bennett - as this piece from The Perry Chief, January 1877, indicates:

"James Gordon Bennett was publicly horse-whipped this morning, by Frederick May, brother of the girl to whom Bennett was engaged to be married."

He took to his heels and travelled to England, ending up in Melton Mowbray. Perhaps he had heard of the town's paint the town red story and thought he would be at home there? Even the thick-skinned Bennett had the wind taken out of his sails by these events and he remained single until he was 73, when he married the Baroness de Reuter.

There are many other stories listing his excessive and occasionally boorish exploits. These didn't stop him being an successful and innovative journalist though. He invested heavily in developing on his father's news empire. In 1868, with the simple brief of 'find Livingstone' he sent the travelling correspondent of the New York Herald - Henry Morton Stanley, to track down and interview David Livingstone in Africa. After a long search Stanley was ready to give up but was encouraged by Bennett which, when he eventually located his prey on the shores of Lake Tanganyika, resulted in what has become one of the most famous of all journalistic lines - "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?"

From 1877 Bennett lived in Europe and continued to run the New York Herald from his $600,000 314-foot yacht, the Lysistrata. He died in 1918.

The expletive Gordon Bennett appears to be a minced oath. It is a version of Gor blimey, which is itself a euphemistic version of God blind me. That, combined with Bennett's famously outrageous lifestyle and newsworthy stunts, is sufficient to explain why his name was picked out.

That's why; what is more difficult to explain is how and when. The known printed citations of the use of the name as an expletive date back only to the 1960s - long after Gordon Bennett was dead and almost forgotten by the general public. The earliest I can find is in a 1962 episode of the BBC comedy 'Steptoe and Son' - The Bird:

Harold: Well that's that then. I said "That's that then".
Albert: What's that then?
Harold: That is! I've finished for the day!
Albert: Have you fed the horse?
Harold: Of course I've fed the horse - I wouldn't have said "That's that then" if I hadn't.
Albert: You wrapped him up?
Harold: Yes I have wrapped him up. Look when I say "That's that then" it means I've done it
all, it means I've finished. Gordon Bennett, if you don't know that after all these years.

As a spoken slang phrase we might expect that it could have been passed on by word of mouth for some time, and it is certainly much earlier than 1962. It is stretching a point though to suggest that it could have been in use from the early 20th century while not appearing in print until the 1960s. As things stand, we continue to look for an earlier citation.

Answer 2

Gordon Bennett and his son, Gordon Bennett Jnr, were both "barnstormers" in the 1930's. Barnstorming was a display of aerobatic stunts, much of it very dangerous. It was a popular entertainment in 30's America and the best performers became household names.

The Gordon Bennetts were exceptional practitioners and any dangerous stunt was referred to as "doing a Gordon Bennett". Eventually, anything exciting that induced a sharp intake of breath was usually accompanied by the exclamation "Gordon Bennett!".

Answer 3

James Gordon Bennet II, 1841 - 1918 is the man referred to, and was quite a colourful character. One of his many reported exploits was an incident where he flew an aeroplane through an open barn. The surprised onlookers were supposed to have said 'That was Gordon Bennett!', and hence onward to the current shortened phrase. Became popular again during the 1980s but is again falling out of use.

Answer 4

The expletive Gordon Bennett appears to be a minced oath (a euphamism to avoid swearing). It is a version of Gor blimey, which is itself a euphemistic version of God blind me.

Meaning

An exclamation of surprise.

Origin

It is commonly thought that this refers to James Gordon Bennett, a journalist with an extravagent and outrageous lifestyle, most famous for uttering the phrase, "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?".

Answer 5

Gordon Bennett was a man who used to organise sporting events - especially motor races, in Ireland in the early part of the 20th century. As an expletive, it's a euphemism for God.

Answer 6

The expletive Gordon Bennett appears to be a minced oath. It is a version of Gor blimey, which is itself a euphemistic version of God blind me.

based on a real person too
you can read in depth here : http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/gordon-bennett.html

you learn summit new everyday huh? Thank you

Debby x

Answer 7

I am not sure about the origins but to say Gorden Bennett is the same as swearing

Answer 8

Gordon Bennet was the owner of an American newspaper who proclaimed himself God to those employed by him. The direct quote is, "As far as you are concerned I am God."

Answer 9

i want to know as well. My surnames Bennett.