Gordon Bennett – Meaning, Origin and Usage

Have you seen the phrase 'Gordon Bennett!' somewhere and would like to know more about what the saying could mean in the context which it was used? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this common saying, which became a popular exclamation of astonishment in the English language.

Meaning

The phrase 'Gordon Bennett' is a phrase that is commonly used as an exclamation, often when pointing out someone's wealth or opulence.

Someone can use the phrase 'Gordon Bennett!' an exclamation, but there are also other ways in which the saying can be used in context.

Use of the phrase can also indicate that someone '[is a real] Gordon Bennett' or that someone '[acts like a] Gordon Bennett'.

The phrase can also be used in the denial form, often with sarcasm or humor, to point out that someone '[isn't] Gordon Bennett'.

Usually the phrase is used with humor or sarcasm, although the phrase also implies the insult that someone is too opulent or spends their money too easily.

The saying is common in the United States, though thanks to the spread of social media the phrase has become known in other forms of English too.

The phrase is more common as a humorous jab than it is used as an outright insult.

Example Usage

“He's maxed out seven credit cards in just one week. He's trying to pretend he's some kind of Gordon Bennett.”

“If you think you're going out of the house in that jacket, you may as well think you're Liberace or Gordon Bennett.”

“Gordon Bennett! You must be rich or something if you can afford to drive that type of car.”

“Gordon Bennett, you probably think that you look like a million dollars right now, don't you?”

Origin

The origin of the phrase 'Gordon Bennett' is believed to be from American English, and it refers to Gordon Bennett – a once-famous immgrant who was known for his opulence and extreme wealth.

He would receive plenty of media coverage during his lifetime, though the expression would stick around longer than the memory of who Gordon Bennett was: the exclamation 'Gordon Bennett' soon became known as a sign that someone was spending most of their wealth (or that someone had too much wealth to spend in the first place).

The phrase is common in American English, though the phrase can also be seen in other parts of the English-speaking world in part thanks to the popularity of social media.

Phrases Similar to Gordon Bennett

  • Omg

Phrases Opposite to Gordon Bennett

  • N/a

What is the Correct Saying?

  • Gordon Bennett!
  • [Someone's a real] Gordon Bennett

Ways People May Say Gordon Bennett Incorrectly

There are several ways in which someone can use the phrase 'Gordon Bennett' in the wrong way, or misunderstand the meaning of the phrase.

The saying 'Gordon Bennett' is common in the United States, though not common everywhere and can obscure the context of a conversation when it is used.

One way in which the phrase can be used in the wrong way is to misspell the name or surname, a common way is to use an alternate and incorrect spelling of Bennett.

Acceptable Ways to Phrase Gordon Bennett

There are several ways in which someone can use the phrase 'Gordon Bennett'.

Usually, the saying is used as an exclamation with sarcasm or humor that refers to someone who has a lot of money (or just to someone who spends a lot of their money).

A speaker can say that '[someone is] a Gordon Bennett' as a reference, with the implication that someone is opulent or likely to spend their money.

A speaker can also use the phrase to deny that someone is 'a Gordon Bennett' in conversation.

The phrase 'Gordon Bennett' can be used as a direct reference to someone, or be used when a speaker is talking about someone else in conversation.

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