uncle Tom Cobley and all

U

uncle Tom Cobley and all

Meaning:

• used to denote a long list of people (in British English)
• a humorous or whimsical way of saying “and others”

Example:

1. Businessman, entrepreneurs, Uncle Tom Cobley and all had been invited to the Real Estate Awards function in the city last month.3
2. I’m not going to send invitations to Uncle Tom Cobley and all for my wedding. I want to keep it simple hence a very few would be invited.
3. Do you know when the leader’s son was born he had arranged a feast for Uncle Tom Cobley and all but many people were left unattended.
4. The play consisted of Uncle Tom Cobley and all who worked at the back end & contributed towards the success of the play.
5. Uncle Tom Cobley and all have registered themselves for this year’s marathon, unlike last year. Let us see how many of them turn up.
6. People these days have Uncle Tom Cobley and all in their friend list over social media. I wonder if they really talk or even know each other
7. Why do you need validation of your business idea from Uncle Tom Cobley and all in your family? Just consider opinion of those who care & leave the rest.

Origin:
Uncle Tom Cobley is the last of a long list of men enumerated in the ballad ‘Widdicombe Fair’, which from around 1800. This phrase comes from a Devon folk song “Widecombe Fair”, collected by Sabine Baring-Gould. Its chorus ends with a long list of people: “Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy, Dan’l Whiddon, Harry Hawke, Old Uncle Tom Cobley and all.” The surname is spelt as “Cobleigh” in some references.