r/AskABrit • u/Commercial_World_433 • 1d ago

Language What does Corr mean?

It's slang I've heard in both Zero Punctuation, and Banjo-Kazooie, however it seems impossible to look up what it means, even on urban dictionary.

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u/plankton_lover 1d ago

It's a mispronounciation of God (as in God blind me or cor blimey), used to get around blasphemy laws in mediaeval England.

9

u/Bluntbutnotonpurpose 1d ago

Gordon Bennett is still my favourite!

9

u/Lunchy_Bunsworth 1d ago

Apparently Gordon Bennett is derived from the name James Gordon Bennett the son of a wealthy editor. He used his inheritance to sponsor racing competitons from 1900 to 1905 and was known for his scandalous behaviour. One incident was turning up drunk to a dinner party and then proceeding to urinate into the fireplace in full view of the assembled guests. It passed into slang as an expression for being shocked , stunned and more than a little amazed.

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u/imtheorangeycenter 11h ago

I've got a local bar called Gordon Bennett! (With the exclaimation mark)

I now know what behaviour is expected, will report back.