where does the saying "gordon Bennett" originate? what did he do wrong poor chap!?

Answer 1

Hypothetical origins of the term

According to Cassell's Dictionary of Word & Phrase Origins, the phrase is a euphemism for the blasphemous expression "Oh God!". A famous newspaperman James Gordon Bennett, Jr. is said to have originally inspired the particular form of this phrase.

Bennett — the son of James Gordon Bennett, senior — was a New York newspaper proprietor and playboy during the late 19th and early 20th centuries who became widely known in North America and Europe for his extravagant lifestyle and shocking behaviour. He has been described by the Dictionary of American Biography as having been "one of the most picturesque figures of two continents". For example, he arrived late and drunk at a party in the mansion of the family of his fiancée, socialite Caroline May, and then urinated into a fireplace in full view of his hosts. The engagement was broken off immediately, and the subsequent notoriety caused Bennett to move to France. This incident appeared in the Guinness Book of World Records under "Greatest Engagement Faux Pas." [1]

A variant of the newspaper-mogul story is given by Anglophile American writer Bill Bryson as follows:

James Gordon Bennett, a newspaper baron, liked to announce his arrival in a restaurant by yanking the tablecloths from all the tables he passed. He would then hand the manager a wad of cash with which to compensate his victims for their lost meals and spattered attire. Though long forgotten in his native land, Bennett and his exploits were once world famous, and indeed his name lives on in England in the cry, "Gordon Bennett!"

Answer 2

It's because of Gordon Bennett we have British Racing Green.

Answer 3

There is an interesting discussion on this BBC page:- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6226293.stm
This also refers to other 'name' expressions like 'flaming nora'
Interesting enough, having regard to the previous answer, I had though until I read the sources here, that 'Gordon Bennett' was an Australian general in WW2.

Answer 4

Gordon Bennett was a larger than life character who (among other things) invented motor racing. Saying "Gordon Bennett" is a euphemism for "God".

Answer 5

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Answer 6

gordon bennett was american who after 4 weeks of ariving in london, had managed to distroy is equlibrium making him increadably unbalanced, thus he hert him self alot, walking into walls and stuff

Answer 7

Strangely, that has never caught on in Australia!

I don't think I have ever heard the term used. (But then, we've got plenty that the rest of the world hasn't heard!!)