What Does the Phrase “Bob’s Your Uncle” Mean and Where Did the Expression Come From?

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Karen Hill

“Bob’s your uncle” is a common British phrase and now means that you’ve accomplished something without much effort.

It originated in 1887 when Prime Minister Robert Cecil appointed his nephew, Arthur Balfour, chief secretary for Ireland.

The public was outraged at this blatant act of nepotism and began using “Bob’s your uncle” to describe any situation where favoritism influenced the outcome.

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